Zelenskyy Cancels Meeting with Senators as Congress Debates Funding for Ukraine

(NewsSpace.com) – It’s been nearly two years since Russia invaded Ukraine, and there is still no end in sight. In order to help the war-torn country fight off its aggressor, the United States has sent billions of dollars in aid, both humanitarian and military. Right now, the US is in danger of running out of funds to help, and President Joe Biden has asked Congress to approve another supplemental package totaling $106 billion. In the meantime, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had plans to speak with the US Senate. However, he had to cancel at the last minute.

Zelenskyy was scheduled to meet with US Senators to discuss the particulars of the Ukraine war and the country’s need for more weapons. However, Minister of Defence Rustem Umierov spoke with Fox News and said that the war is an ever-changing beast, and circumstances necessitated his canceling his appearance at the meeting. Umierov, however, said the address was productive. When asked if Ukraine was worried, the defence minister said they have a plan and things are progressing well as the country is “continuing to regain the territories.”

Congress is currently at an impasse as far as aid to Ukraine is concerned. Many don’t think that Congress should send more or write a blank check, so to speak. Umierov said it’s important for America to “fight with authoritarian regimes” so as not to threaten national security interests. He said Russia’s ultimate goal is for Ukraine—and its people—not to exist, and that is what the country is fighting for.

Ukrainian aid is slated to run out by the end of the year. Some of the allocations have already been depleted. Shalanda Young, the US Office of Management and Budget director, sent out letters to Congressional leaders saying the funds, which supply military equipment, will run out and “there is no magical pot” available to replenish that money at this time. She called on Congress to act now.

Republicans in both the House and Senate are trying to tie aid for the southern border into any supplied for Ukraine, causing additional strife between the parties in Congress.