Zelensky: Kiev held hostage by US politics
3 Min Read
Ukraine's President criticizes American legislators for delaying the allocation of additional funds to the country.
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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky delivers a speech at the Munich Security Conference in Germany on February 18, 2024. (AP)
Ukraine has found itself entangled in the internal politics of the United States, putting its efforts against Russia at risk, President Volodymyr Zelensky lamented.
He further emphasized that Kiev would welcome any form of support from Washington, including loans.
Addressing the nation on Saturday through television, Zelensky expressed optimism that the US Congress would eventually endorse a supplementary aid package for Kiev, valued in the tens of billions of dollars, a proposal that has remained uncertain for several months.
Referring to the eagerly anticipated aid as crucial, Zelensky said he believes that “we can get a positive vote from the US Congress.”
"Unfortunately, we are hostage to the fact that this is the electoral process… Russia’s war against Ukraine has today become an internal political issue in the United States," he lamented, criticizing US lawmakers for what he deemed an "immature approach" to the conflict and broader global security concerns.
A loan for Ukraine?
Zelensky also indicated that Kiev would be open to receiving assistance from the US in the form of a loan. "You know, one senator was recently there, and he asked: would you agree to loan money? Let’s be frank: we will agree to any option," he said, underscoring the precarious situation Ukraine faces.
The Ukrainian President was specifically referring to senior Republican Senator Lindsey Graham's recent visit to Kiev, during which he advocated for the loan proposal initially suggested by leading GOP presidential candidate Donald Trump. Graham reportedly told Zelensky, “It’s not unfair for me to ask you and other allies: Pay us back down the road, if you can.”
Subsequently, Politico revealed that while Kiev is open to evaluating the proposal, some Ukrainian officials find it “somewhat offensive.”
Meanwhile, US President Joe Biden has been pressing Congress for months to approve his aid package, which includes a $60 billion allocation for Ukraine. However, many Republicans have opposed the measure, insisting on prioritizing efforts to bolster security along the Mexican border.
Nevertheless, House Speaker Mike Johnson hinted earlier this month that the aid package might soon be brought to a vote with “some important innovations,” including a suggestion to extend a loan to Ukraine and the proposal to seize frozen Russian sovereign assets and transfer them to Kiev.
For its part, Moscow has labeled the seizure as "theft" and cautioned of potential reprisals if the funds are confiscated.
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