McCarthy rejects Zelensky’s request to address Congress: NBC
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The Ukrainian President arrives in Washington for talks, amid skepticism from Republicans threatening to cut off massive aid.
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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (C), accompanied by US Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (R) and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (L), arrives to meet with US Senators in the Old Senate Chamber, at the US Capitol in Washington, DC, on September 21, 2023 (AFP)
The Responsible Statecraft news website reported that an increasing number of lawmakers from the US Republican Party are expressing their reluctance or outright opposition to continuing funding for Ukraine, pointing out that their enthusiasm for the speeches of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has changed and diminished.
"It’s not just far-right members," POLITICO quoted a House Republican aide as saying, pointing out that "(mainstream Republicans are) sympathetic to the cause but we’re throwing money at a conflict that can last for years," the aide indicated.
Zelensky is in Washington to meet with US lawmakers and President Joe Biden after addressing the UN General Assembly in New York earlier this week.
The Ukrainian leader said on social media that obtaining better US air defense capabilities was among his top priorities in the US capital.
According to US officials, Biden and Zelensky will have head-to-head talks in the Oval Office.
National Security Council Spokesperson John Kirby said Biden is "looking forward to getting a battlefield perspective directly from Ukraine's commander in chief."
Zelensky's reported request for longer-range ATACMS missiles that can strike up to 300 kilometers (190 miles) away is "not off the table," but there has been no decision yet, Kirby mentioned.
"The president will be talking to President Zelensky about his needs and about how the United States will continue to meet those needs."
According to the Responsible Statecraft, "This may be the reason why Zelensky will be meeting behind closed doors with selected bipartisan members of Congress — including House Speaker Kevin McCarthy — and the White House, and not making another televised address to both chambers."
Read next: MTG: 'Least Zelensky could do is put suit, tie on' before money demand
30 Rep. lawmakers against White House $24bln to Ukraine
This comes as Congress is now debating US President Joe Biden's $24 billion assistance request for Ukraine, which is part of a bigger bid over funding the United States government for the upcoming fiscal year, which begins on October 1.
Hard-right Republican lawmakers are holding up the White House's demand for any budget bill passed by Congress if it includes the $24 billion aid. Even relatively moderate Republicans are expressing doubts.
"What's the plan for victory? I think that's what the American public wants to know," McCarthy said this week.
The New York Times’ Andrew Kramer recalled that the last time the Ukrainian President visited Washington, he was given a "hero’s welcome", pointing out that this time, Zelensky is on a "more delicate political mission," due to a slow-paced Kiev counteroffensive and local politics in the US.
Earlier on Thursday, NBC reported that McCarthy said he turned down a request from Zelensky to address a joint session of Congress.
McCarthy explained his refusal by the lack of free time for a joint address amid a busy legislative week, adding that Zelensky had previously had an opportunity to speak before Congress.
These reactions indicate a greater movement in the Republican Party against supporting unconditional additional aid to Ukraine, the Responsible Statecraft noted.
In a related context, a CNN poll showed last month that 71% of Republicans believe that Congress should not authorize new funding.
The Responsible Statecraft added that "in Washington, not only has the push against continued funding from Congressional Republicans grown in number and in intensity, but the debate over sending more money to Ukraine is only a part of a larger battle over the government budget."
The news website highlighted that "conservatives in the House have threatened to force the government to shut down if a list of demands, including no “blank check” for Ukraine, are not met."
Is noteworthy that the US has spearheaded Western support for Ukraine in the war against Russia. To date, more than $100 billion in aid, including $43 billion in weaponry, has been approved by Congress.
Read more: US sees Ukrainian army demoralized, no chance to win: Seymour Hersh
