United States: Chuck Schumer, US Senate Majority Leader along with four other Democratic senators toured Ukraine to meet with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy assuring the America’s support to Ukraine. The visit coincides with a dispute in Washington over military aid to the war-torn nation.
Zelenskyy warned the US and other allies that his army was running out of weapons. He also said that Russia would try to gain the upper hand if they didn’t get immediate help. Last week Ukrainian troops retreated from the city of Avdiivka, a key frontline battleground.
US aid to Ukraine has been suspended by Congress since late last year. On February 13, a $95 billion aid package was passed by the Senate for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan. But it was ultimately defeated by a vote of 70-29.
However, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mike Johnson has refused to bring the Senate package to a vote in the House. He argued that Congress must prioritize protecting the southern border and implementing stricter border policies before providing additional aid to Ukraine.
Earlier this month, a group of Senate negotiators from both parties agreed on more stringent border and asylum policies. Senate leaders from both parties endorsed this agreement. However, the Republicans backed out of the deal shortly after when ex-President Donald Trump and his allies in Congress criticized the agreement for not being strict enough.
Schumer released a statement outlining four goals for his visit to Ukraine. First, to demonstrate America’s unwavering support for the people of Ukraine and ensure that promised aid is delivered. Second, to make it clear that the US is committed to standing with NATO and its European allies.
Third, to gain an understanding of the specific weapons that Ukraine needs and the benefits that Russia could gain if these weapons are not provided. Finally, to acknowledge that if the United States abandons its allies, there will be severe political, diplomatic, economic, and military consequences that will severely affect the American people.
“When we return to Washington, we will make clear to Speaker Johnson and others in Congress who are obstructing military and economic support, exactly what is at stake here in Ukraine and for the rest of Europe and the free world. We will keep working to ensure Congress steps up, does the right thing, and delivers help for our friends and allies,” Schumer said in the statement.
Schumer’s congressional delegation, also called CODEL, includes four Democrats. These are Jack Reed, the Senate Armed Services Chairman from Rhode Island, Richard Blumenthal from Connecticut, who is a member of Reed’s panel, Michael Bennet from Colorado, who is a member of the Intelligence Committee, and Maggie Hassan from New Hampshire, who chairs the Homeland Security subcommittee on Emerging Threats.
In December, Zelenskyy went to Washington and directly appealed to Johnson, Schumer, McConnell, and other congressional leaders for more aid. After the meeting Schumer was reported that, “President Zelenskyy’s message was direct, Ukraine will win the war against Russia if more aid is approved. But his message to the contrary was also true. If no more aid is approved, Putin will win. Ukraine, the West, the United States’ strength as a credible ally are all hanging in the balance right now.”
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