Zelenskyy will address the US military in Washington on Monday as funding for weapons runs out

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is scheduled to deliver a speech to U.S. military officials at the National Defense University in Washington on Monday. This comes as a last-minute effort to persuade Congress to allocate additional funding for weaponry before the current funds are depleted.

President Joe Biden has formally requested $61.4 billion in wartime funding for Ukraine as part of a larger $110 billion package, which also encompasses financial support for Israel and other critical national security priorities. However, this request has become entangled in a contentious debate surrounding U.S. immigration policy and border security. Notably, the United States has already provided Ukraine with $111 billion in assistance for its ongoing struggle against Russia’s invasion in 2022.

On the following Tuesday, President Zelenskyy is anticipated to visit Capitol Hill and hold a meeting with President Biden at the White House.

As Congress approaches its final working week before the holiday recess, there are lingering uncertainties regarding whether Republicans can reach a consensus on future funding for Ukraine and Israel without the White House making concessions on bolstering border security amidst a surge in illegal border crossings. Nonetheless, any potential border security package carries the risk of causing divisions among certain Democratic lawmakers.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken underscored the critical nature of the situation for Ukraine during his Sunday television appearances, emphasizing that “we are running out of funding” to support the Ukrainian efforts. He further cautioned that failing to act decisively could embolden Russian President Vladimir Putin to advance with impunity, with Ukraine being just one possible target in a more extensive geopolitical context.

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More about Ukraine Funding Crisis

• President Biden’s Funding Request for Ukraine
• Debate Over Funding and Border Security
• Secretary Blinken’s Warning on Funding for Ukraine
• Zelenskyy’s Diplomatic Efforts