Volodymyr Zelensky visits Capitol Hill as aid package risks collapse

President Zelensky. File Pic/AP

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will arrive on Capitol Hill to a darker mood than when he swooped in last winter for a hero's welcome, as the Russian invasion is grinding into a third year and US funding hangs in balance. Zelensky's visit Tuesday comes as President Joe Biden's request for an additional $110 billion US aid package for Ukraine, Israel and other national security needs is at serious risk of collapse in Congress.

Republicans are insisting on strict US-Mexico border security changes that Democrats decry as draconian in exchange for the overseas aid. "It is maddening," said Sen. Chris Coons, D-Del., a close ally of Biden, of the stalemate. "A very bad message to the world, to the Ukrainian people." Zelenskyy will meet privately with senators and new House Speaker Mike Johnson, then talk with Biden at the White House as the once robust bipartisan support for Ukraine was slipping further out of reach.

Poland's PM vows to keep Ukraine aid coming

New Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said Tuesday that his government will mobilize to keep the world committed to helping Ukraine. Tusk said it hurts him to hear that Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has to keep trying to persuade world leaders about the need to continue supporting Kyiv's struggle against Russian aggression. He said it will be a priority for his coalition government to persuade leaders that they need to continue to help Ukraine defend itself, and that is also in the interests of the free world.

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