Zelenskyy in Washington to push for military aid

By Iclal Turan

WASHINGTON (AA) - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is in Washington to meet congressional leaders Tuesday and US President Joe Biden to push for additional aid to Ukraine ahead of the winter recess.

Zelenskyy arrived at Congress around 9 a.m. local time, where he met senators. including Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Minority Leader Mitch McConnell.

"In the United States Senate, I had a friendly and candid conversation. I informed members of the U.S. Senate about Ukraine’s current military and economic situation, the significance of sustaining vital U.S. support, and answered their questions," Zelenskyy wrote on X.

He said he is "grateful" to Schumer and McConnell for "their personal leadership in rallying bipartisan support for Ukraine among U.S. legislators."

Schumer wrote on X after the meeting Republicans must take Zelenskyy's warnings to heart. "The one person happy right now about the gridlock in Congress is (Russian President Vladimir) Putin," he wrote.

"Putin is delighted (former US President Donald) Trump’s border policies are sabotaging aid to Ukraine," he added.

Zelenskyy later met House Speaker Mike Johnson, who thinks strengthening the US-Mexico border should come first in talks with Democrats about Ukraine aid.

"I think the American people agree with us that national security begins at our own borders,” Johnson said in an interview Tuesday.

Johnson told reporters after the meeting that "these are the conditions of the American people," adding: "We are resolute."

"It is not the House's issue right now. The issue is with the White House and the Senate, and I implore them to do their job because the time is urgent, and we do want to do the right thing," he added.

Zelenskyy and Biden will later hold talks at the White House and conduct a news conference.