Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy briefed Mike Johnson on Thursday about the “air terror” of Russia’s forces while pressure mounts for the House speaker to decide on aid for the war-beleaguered country.
With the spending fight over in Washington, Mr. Johnson, Louisiana Republican, said the House would take “necessary steps” to address foreign aid in the coming weeks.
His intention to move on aid for Ukraine, Israel and the Indo-Pacific comes after months of scrutiny from Congress and the White House to make a move on pouring more funding into Ukraine.
Mr. Zelenskyy has joined in on the pressure campaign. The Ukrainian president said on X that he spoke with Mr. Johnson by phone about the situation on the battlefield and Russia’s aerial warfare capabilities, noting that 190 missiles, 140 Shahed drones and 700 guided bombs were launched at Ukrainian cities and communities last week, resulting in the country’s largest hydroelectric power facility going offline.
“In this situation, quick passage of U.S. aid to Ukraine by Congress is vital,” Mr. Zelenskyy said. “We recognize that there are differing views in the House of Representatives on how to proceed, but the key is to keep the issue of aid to Ukraine as a unifying factor.”
Three plans are making the rounds in the House, each with varying levels of support. The Senate-passed aid package has the most support from House Democrats, while a bipartisan, slimmed-down plan that includes the Trump-era Remain in Mexico deal to stem the illegal immigration flood is gaining tepid support from both sides of the aisle.
Then there is House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul’s bill, which could see Ukraine aid paid for by using frozen Russian assets, a plan that Mr. Johnson has signaled appeals to him the most.
Mr. Zelenskyy said he and Mr. Johnson discussed using seized Russian assets “for Ukraine’s benefit” and that cutting off Russia’s funding source for its war machine is crucial.
“We also rely on the leadership of Congress in this regard,” Mr. Zelenskyy said.
• Alex Miller can be reached at amiller@washingtontimes.com.
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