McCarthy declines Zelensky's invite to Ukraine, says 'No blank checks'

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
8 Mar 2023 20:30

House Speaker Kevin McCarthy announces that he does not plan to visit Ukraine, which he doesn't have to go to in order to "understand where there’s a blank check or not."

US Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) speaks to reporters at the US Capitol in Washington, US, January 12, 2023. (Reuters)

House Speaker Kevin McCarthy told CNN on Tuesday that he has no intention to visit Ukraine even after President Zelensky's suggestion to visit. He added that he supports Ukraine, but does not support "a blank check."

"Let’s be very clear about what I said: no blank checks, OK? So, from that perspective, I don’t have to go to Ukraine to understand where there’s a blank check or not," McCarthy said. "I will continue to get my briefings and others, but I don’t have to go to Ukraine or Kiev to see it. And my point has always been, I won’t provide a blank check for anything."

Following the division the Republican Party is facing regarding if the US should continue to provide aid to Ukraine, the Ukrainian President invited House Speaker Kevin McCarthy to visit Ukraine to see the situation on the ground firsthand.

“Mr. McCarthy, he has to come here to see how we work, what’s happening here, what war caused us, which people are fighting now, who are fighting now. And then after that, make your assumptions,” said Zelenzky in an exclusive CNN interview.

Zelensky believes that if McCarthy visited Ukraine, he would be able to help him with his position. He said that when the Democrats and Republicans come to them, they would be able to see how every dollar is being spent and every bullet is being shot.

In the meantime, Zelensky hoped to receive more aid from the US with time.

Even though there's widespread support for Kiev in Congress, some House Republicans are calling for an end to the military and financial support to Ukraine.