Biden invites Zelensky to White House amid clash with Republicans

President Biden has invited Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to visit the White House to show solidarity with the wartorn country, it was announced Sunday.

Zelensky is invited to the White House for a meeting Tuesday to “underscore the United States’ unshakeable commitment to supporting the people of Ukraine as they defend themselves against Russia’s brutal invasion,” White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said in a statement.

“As Russia ramps up its missile and drone strikes against Ukraine, the leaders will discuss Ukraine’s urgent needs and the vital importance of the United States’ continued support at this critical moment,” Jean-Pierre added.

Zelensky last visited Washington, DC, in September following a trip to the UN General Assembly Summit of World Leaders in New York.

At the time, Biden was pressing Congress for $24 billion in additional assistance to the war-torn nation.

Congress has yet to greenlight more aid. Now that ask is hovering around $61 billion, according to a sprawling $106 bill supplemental the White House unveiled in October featuring support for Ukraine, Israel, Taiwan, and the border.

Talks over further aid to Ukraine have been crippled by stark divisions between Republicans and Democrats over how to proceed on the border provisions.

Republicans have been adamant that more aid to Ukraine be paired with bolstered border security.

Sens. James Lankford (R-Okla.) and Chris Murphy (D-Ct.) are leading the discussions on the Senate side.

This is the Senate’s final scheduled week of legislating this year, elevating the stakes to hash out a deal.

Biden’s White House is expected to step up involvement in the deliberations.

Since the war broke out in Ukraine, Congress has approved $113 in both humanitarian and military support, though not all of that has been spent.

“We are out of money, and nearly out of time,” White House budget chief Shalanda Young pressed congressional leaders last Monday in a letter.

“This isn’t a next year problem. The time to help a democratic Ukraine fight against Russian aggression is right now.”

Zelensky had been expected to brief lawmakers last week, but that got abruptly scrapped due to a last-minute interruption in his schedule according to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY).

Russian President Vladimir Putin announced plans this week to vie for reelection in March 2024.