President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine is set to travel to Washington on Tuesday to meet with President Biden and members of Congress in an effort to secure U.S. aid for Ukraine. The visit comes as Russia continues its invasion of Ukraine, and the leaders will discuss Ukraine’s urgent needs and the importance of continued U.S. support. Last week, Republicans blocked an emergency spending bill that included funding for Ukraine’s war effort, citing the need for changes to U.S. asylum laws and detention policies. President Biden and his aides have warned that failing to support Ukraine could lead to a victory for Russian President Vladimir Putin. Mr. Zelensky will have the opportunity to address lawmakers during a closed-door session and will meet with Speaker Mike Johnson. The Ukrainian leader’s office stated that his focus is on securing unity in support of Ukraine’s defense against Russian aggression. However, there are still significant gaps to be closed in Congress, with negotiations ongoing. Senator Christopher S. Murphy called the latest GOP demands “unreasonable,” while Senator James Lankford argued that both Ukraine aid and immigration reform must be addressed.
