War in Ukraine - Selenskyj in search of military aid in the White House - "America must keep its word"
US President Joe Biden will receive Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyi at the White House this Tuesday with a view to providing further military aid to Ukraine in its defensive struggle against Russia. Biden has invited the Ukrainian to Washington "to underscore the unwavering commitment of the United States to support the Ukrainian people in their defense against the brutal Russian invasion," the White House announced in advance. A press conference is expected to follow.
During his visit to the US capital, Zelenskyi also wants to meet with members of Congress, including the Republican Chairman of the US House of Representatives, Mike Johnson. Zelensky had already arrived in Washington on Monday and had a number of appointments, including with US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and the head of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Kristalina Georgieva.
At the meeting with Zelenskyi, Austin reaffirmed the USA's continued support for Ukraine in the Russian war of aggression. "We are determined to show the world that America will not waver in the defense of freedom," he said during a speech at a university that trains military leaders. In view of the wrangling in the US Congress over the release of further military aid, he warned: "America's commitments must be honored. America's security must be defended. And America must keep its word."
Selensky said that Russian President Vladimir Putin was fighting against Ukraine, but was in fact targeting the whole of a free and united Europe. He is destroying the lives of people in Ukrainian cities, but his real goal is freedom. At another point in his speech, which he gave in English, he said that Ukraine had not given up and would not give up. "You can count on Ukraine, and we hope that we can count on you too." When the free world hesitates, dictatorships rejoice.
Release of new US aid blocked
The release of new US aid for Ukraine is currently being blocked by a dispute in the US parliament. More and more Republicans are expressing doubts about support for Ukraine or rejecting it altogether. According to the government in Washington, the funds previously approved by parliament for Ukraine will be completely used up by the end of the year. This is Zelensky's third visit to Washington since the start of the Russian war of aggression.
IMF chief Georgieva praises Ukraine
The head of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Kristalina Georgieva, said at a meeting with Zelenskyi that Ukraine had succeeded in "implementing and maintaining a sound economic policy" with the support of the international community. The Ukrainian authorities showed commitment to tackling important issues of governance and corruption. This is proof of Zelenskyi's strong leadership.
In March, the IMF provided Ukraine, which was attacked by Russia, with a financing package worth billions. The loan program is intended to give the country access to 15.6 billion US dollars (around 14.4 billion euros). The program is part of a total international aid package of 115 billion US dollars (around 106 billion euros) and has a term of four years.
What else will be important on Tuesday
Heavy fighting continues in Ukraine. Fighting has recently been particularly intense in the eastern Donetsk region. The EU Commission intends to present a proposal on the use of proceeds from frozen Russian assets. The blockade of Russian assets is a consequence of the sanctions imposed last year for aggressive war. According to the Commission, Russian assets worth more than 200 billion euros are currently blocked in the EU.
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- At the meeting with Lloyd Austin, the US Secretary of Defense, President Zelenskyi of Ukraine was reassured about the USA's continued support for Ukraine in its conflict with Russia.
- During his visit to Washington, President Zelenskyi also plans to meet with Republican Chairman of the US House of Representatives, Mike Johnson, to discuss the backing of Ukraine by the US Congress.
- Joe Biden, the President of the USA, has invited Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyi to the White House to emphasize America's unwavering commitment to aid Ukraine in its defense against Russia's invasion and to discuss further military aid.
- The release of new US aid for Ukraine has been halted due to disagreements in the US Congress, with an increasing number of Republicans expressing concerns or rejecting support for Ukraine entirely.
Source: www.stern.de
