CNN
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President Joe Biden will host Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on the White Home Tuesday as discussions on a Ukraine assist deal stay stalled in Congress.
The go to, which the White Home introduced Sunday, is Zelensky’s third go to to Washington for the reason that war in Ukraine started. He final visited in September.
Zelensky’s go to comes at a important second in congressional negotiations for emergency assist to Ukraine. Congress seems no nearer to a deal tying immigration and border policy changes to the emergency assist bundle that can present funding for Ukraine and Israel earlier than lawmakers go away city for the vacations.
The Ukrainian president was additionally invited to talk at an all-senators assembly Tuesday morning by Majority Chief Chuck Schumer and Republican Chief Mitch McConnell, a Senate management aide mentioned. Home Speaker Mike Johnson will meet with Zelensky too, his workplace mentioned in a press release.
The White Home assembly is supposed to “underscore the USA’ unshakeable dedication to supporting the folks of Ukraine as they defend themselves in opposition to Russia’s brutal invasion,” press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre mentioned in a press release.
“As Russia ramps up its missile and drone strikes in opposition to Ukraine, the leaders will focus on Ukraine’s pressing wants and the very important significance of the USA’ continued help at this important second,” she mentioned.
The pair will focus on “additional protection cooperation” in a sequence of conferences Tuesday, the workplace of the Ukrainian presidency mentioned in a press release Sunday.
Zelensky will deal with “securing unity among the many US, Europe, and the remainder of the world” on their help of Ukraine’s protection in opposition to Russia and “strengthening the worldwide order primarily based on guidelines and respect for the sovereignty of countries,” the assertion learn.
Zelensky and Biden may also focus on defensive cooperation efforts for the approaching 12 months, together with joint tasks to supply weapons and air protection methods.
If Congress leaves city for the vacations with out reaching a deal, the White Home should make tough choices about supplying allies such as Ukraine on the potential expense of US army readiness. High Biden administration officers have been sounding the alarm for weeks about funding for Ukraine working dry and the potential penalties.
The administration’s proposed $106 billion assist bundle contains about $60 billion in assist towards Ukraine’s defenses in opposition to Russia, with the remainder going towards Israel’s struggle with Hamas, safety in Taiwan and funding for operations on the US-Mexico border.
However prime Republicans, cautious of including extra to the $111 billion the US has already despatched to Ukraine, have requested that any additional funding be tied to main immigration-related coverage adjustments.
“Historical past’s going to guage harshly those that flip their again on freedom’s trigger,” Biden mentioned earlier this month. “We will’t let Putin win.”
The president mentioned he was prepared to make “important compromises on the border,” conceding the nation’s immigration system is “damaged,” however added Ukraine’s wants are too important to attend. He referred to as out “excessive Republicans” as negotiators stay at a important deadlock over the sticking level difficulty of border safety, saying these Republicans are “enjoying hen with our nationwide safety.”
“Frankly, I believe it’s beautiful we received up to now within the first place. … Russian forces are committing struggle crimes – it’s so simple as that,” Biden mentioned.
Information of Zelensky’s journey to Washington acquired pushback from some Republicans in Congress, together with Sen. J.D. Vance of Ohio, who tweeted: “Within the midst of a historic border disaster, Zelensky will come to Washington and demand that the Congress care extra about his border than our personal.”
Ukraine mentioned Saturday that Russia launched almost 100 air assaults throughout the nation within the house of 24 hours, as its first woman warned Ukraine was in “mortal danger” with out Western army assist.
“We actually want the assistance,” Ukraine’s first woman, Olena Zelenska, not too long ago instructed the BBC of help to Ukraine. “In easy phrases, we can not get uninterested in this example, as a result of if we do, we die.
“And if the world will get drained, they may merely allow us to die.”
Correction: This story has been up to date to mirror that Tuesday’s journey shall be Zelensky’s third go to to Washington for the reason that struggle started
CNN’s Michael Williams, Betsy Klein, Priscilla Alvarez, Lauren Fox and Melanie Zanona contributed to this report.