In Washington visit, Zelenskyy tries to shore up critical support
WASHINGTON — President Volodymyr Zelenskyy worked to shore up U.S. support for Ukraine on a whirlwind visit to Washington on Thursday, delivering an upbeat message on the war’s progress while facing new questions about the flow of American dollars that for 19 months has helped keep his troops in the fight against Russian forces.
The Ukrainian leader received a far quieter reception than the hero’s welcome he got last year, but also won generally favorable comments on the aid he says he needs to stave off defeat. His arrival was treated with more pomp at the White House, where a red carpet arrival on the South Lawn, followed by time in the Oval Office, an expanded gathering in the East Room and one-on-one time for the two first ladies, was a more grand reception than world leaders typically get.
Mr. Zelenskyy, in longsleeve olive drab, came to the Capitol with a firm message in private talks with Republican and Democratic leaders. The Ukrainians have a solid war plan, and “they are winning,” lawmakers quoted him as assuring them, at a time that the world is watching Western support for Kyiv.
President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden welcomed Mr. Zelenskyy and his wife, Olena Zelenska, later at the White House, where Mr. Zelenskyy described thanking members of Congress for their “big, huge support.” Biden was firm in his backing.
“The American people are determined to see to it that we do all we can to ensure the world stands with you,” Mr. Biden assured Mr. Zelenskyy, projecting White House support of Ukraine to other nations as well. “That is our overwhelming objective.”
The serious tone was evident earlier, too, at the Pentagon, where Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin greeted Mr. Zelenskyy without the usual ceremonial band and other fanfare.
At the Capitol, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, who faces opposition among far- right Republicans aligned with former President Donald Trump on support for Ukraine, notably chose not to join House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries in greeting the Ukrainian president when he arrived.
Mr. McCarthy also confirmed that he declined Mr. Zelenskyy’s request for a joint session of Congress, as happened during the Ukrainian president’s dramatic visit to Washington last winter, saying there wasn’t time for that on short notice.
But Mr. McCarthy praised the answers that Ukrainians delivered to lawmakers Thursday.
Republican House lawmakers described questioning Mr. Zelenskyy on the way forward for Ukraine’s counteroffensive, as the fight to roll back invading Russian forces moves closer to the two-year mark without major breakthroughs in Russia’s heavily mined lines.
Mr. Zelensky “conceded that it’s tough, very tough to overcome entrenched defenses,” Independent Sen. Angus King said. “They believe they will make slow but steady progress, but it’s not going to be quick.”
It is Mr. Zelenskyy’s second visit to Washington since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022 and comes as Mr. Biden’s request to Congress for an additional $ 24 billion for Ukraine’s military and humanitarian needs is hanging in the balance.
Back home, Russian launched its heaviest strikes in a month in the hours before Mr. Zelenskyy’s arrival at Congress, killing three, igniting fires and damaging energy infrastructure as Russian missiles and artillery pounded cities across Ukraine.
Mr. Zelenskyy in his White House stop stressed Ukraine’s need for strengthened air defense systems to fend off Russian missiles and drones.
White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan underscored Thursday that Mr. Biden would seek to drive home with Mr. Zelenskyy’s visit that the U.S. and the world “send the unmistakable message that in the 21st century, a dictator cannot be allowed to conquer or carve up his neighbor’s territory.”