During his visit to Washington, Zelenskyy presented a “victory plan,” urging Western allies to increase political and economic pressure on Russia for a negotiated resolution to the ongoing conflict.
On Thursday, U.S. President Joe Biden announced an additional military aid package for Ukraine, totaling nearly $8 billion, amid a critical phase in its conflict with Russia.
This announcement came just before Biden’s meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, where he pledged to ensure Ukraine receives the necessary support to prevail in the war.
This aid is part of a larger spending plan approved in April after extensive negotiations with congressional Republicans.
Biden stated that the entire $60 billion allocated for Ukraine would be utilized before he leaves office in January.
The new package includes $5.5 billion expected to be disbursed before the fiscal year ends, along with $2.4 billion through the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, which enables the U.S. to purchase weapons from private manufacturers for Ukraine.
Included in the aid are additional air defense systems, unmanned aerial vehicles, air-to-ground munitions, and another Patriot air defense battery. Biden also instructed the Pentagon to enhance training for Ukrainian F-16 pilots.
In a post on X, Zelenskyy expressed gratitude towards Biden and Congress, assuring that the aid would be used effectively and transparently.
While Zelenskyy is urging the U.S. and its allies to permit long-range missile usage against deeper Russian targets, Biden has consistently declined such requests.
His reception on Capitol Hill was mixed, reflecting uncertainty about ongoing military support for Ukraine.
Zelenskyy met privately with bipartisan congressional leaders, but the atmosphere was tense, particularly following Republican Speaker Mike Johnson’s decision to skip the meeting. Johnson, allied with Trump’s skeptical stance on Ukraine, had previously called for Zelenskyy to dismiss U.S. Ambassador Oksana Markarova due to perceived partisanship.
Tensions have risen between Zelenskyy and certain Republicans, as the party’s traditionally hawkish stance towards Russia shifts with some of Trump’s far-right allies expressing more favorable views toward Moscow.
In an interview, Zelenskyy criticized Trump’s potential running mate, Senator JD Vance, for his radical views and called for a deeper understanding of World War II history.
On Wednesday, Trump suggested that Ukraine should have made concessions to Russia before the 2022 invasion, arguing that even a poor deal would have been preferable to the current situation.
Later on Thursday, Vice President Kamala Harris is set to meet with Zelenskyy, affirming her commitment to supporting Ukraine if she wins the presidential election.
At the UN General Assembly earlier this week, Biden reiterated the U.S. commitment to supporting Kyiv “now and in the future,” as G7 leaders promised to assist in Ukraine’s post-war recovery.
Zelenskyy, addressing the assembly, called for a “real, just peace” rather than a mere pause in hostilities, insisting on his “peace formula” that includes the complete withdrawal of Russian forces and accountability for war crimes.
