McConnell, GOP Senators Meet Zelensky in Flash Kyiv Trip

When the House speaker visited Kyiv earlier this month, there were no Republican members in the congressional delegation even though the Ukrainian president had delivered a virtual address to a full house of Congress in March. That omission was smoothed over today when the Senate Republican leader, Mitch McConnell, and a delegation of GOP senators met with President Zelensky in Kyiv. The unannounced visit was the latest, high-profile show of American solidarity with the country at war with Russia.A video posted on Mr. Zelensky’s Telegram account showed Mr. McConnell and Senators Collins of Maine, Barrasso of Wyoming, and Cornyn of Texas greeting him at the capital. In an Instagram post, the president called the visit “a strong signal of bipartisan support for Ukraine from the United States Congress and the American people.”Mr. Zelensky said the entry into force of the Ukraine Democracy Defense Lend-Lease Act was a significant event for Ukraine. In addition, he said, “I look forward to the United States’ support for further sanctions,” and “we believe that Russia should be officially recognized as a state sponsor of terrorism.”In a statement, the Ukrainian president’s office said “this important visit is a powerful signal of bipartisan support for Ukraine from the US Congress and the American people.”The trip came at a time when the Senate is working to approve a nearly $40 billion package for Ukraine, a substantial infusion of support that will push American aid to the region well above $50 billion. The measure includes $6 billion for Ukraine for intelligence, equipment, and training for its forces, plus $4 billion in financing to help Ukraine and NATO allies build up their militaries.Passage was delayed Thursday by Senator Paul of Kentucky, who demanded the inclusion of a proposal to have an inspector general scrutinize the new spending. “My oath of office is to the U.S. Constitution, not to any foreign nation,” Mr. Paul tweeted. Final approval is not in doubt and could come in the week ahead, reflecting overwhelming support in Congress for replenishing the Ukrainian war effort.“Ukraine is not asking anybody else to do their fighting for them,” Mr. McConnell wrote in a Facebook post. “They ask only for the resources they need to defend themselves against this lawless aggression. I strongly support the next package of lethal military assistance which the House has passed with an overwhelming bipartisan majority.”A top aide to President Zelensky, Andrij Sybiha, wrote on Facebook that “a decision on $40 billion is expected next week.”Today’s visit was the second high-profile congressional delegation to stop in Ukraine in as many weeks. Speaker Pelosi’s visit with a group of House Democrats came on May 1.The American first lady, Jill Biden, visited western Ukraine last weekend for a Mother’s Day meeting with Mr. Zelensky’s wife, Olena Zelenska.

McConnell, GOP Senators Meet Zelensky in Flash Kyiv Trip

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