Ukrainian President Zelenskiy Urges Increased US Aid, Extends Invitation to Former President Trump

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ICARO Media Group
Politics
05/11/2023 21h33

In a recent interview, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy called on the United States to provide additional funding to support Ukraine's efforts in countering Russian aggression. Zelenskiy also extended an invitation to former President Donald Trump to visit Ukraine and witness the gravity of the conflict initiated by Russia's President Vladimir Putin back in February 2022.

Speaking on NBC's 'Meet the Press' on Sunday, Zelenskiy emphasized the potential consequences of inadequate support, warning that without increased assistance from the US, American soldiers may be drawn into a wider conflict with Russia, endangering the security of NATO countries. "If Russia will kill all of us, they will attack NATO countries and you will send your sons and daughters [to fight]," Zelenskiy emphasized.

President Joe Biden, a Democrat, has been advocating for the passing of a $106 billion supplemental spending bill in the US Congress. The majority of this funding is intended to bolster Ukraine's defense capabilities, with the remaining amount designated for Israel, the Indo-Pacific region, and border enforcement.

However, the Republican-led US House of Representatives proposed its own funding plan, which notably excludes any increase in aid for Ukraine. Last week, the House passed a bill allocating $14.3 billion in aid to Israel, but it did not include any provisions for Ukraine.

Responding to this development, US Senator Chuck Schumer, the majority leader of the Democratic-controlled Senate, stated that he would not bring the House bill to a vote, and President Biden has made clear his intentions to veto it.

Zelenskiy's invitation to former President Donald Trump is seen as a notable move, particularly as Trump is currently seeking reelection in 2024 and is the leading candidate for his party's presidential nomination. Notably, Trump has been highly critical of the US support for Ukraine and has claimed that he could resolve the conflict within 24 hours if reelected.

Expressing his willingness to engage in a discussion with Trump, Zelenskiy stated, "If he can come here, I will need... 24 minutes to explain to President Trump that he can't manage this war. He can't bring peace because of Putin."

It remains to be seen how the US Congress will proceed in terms of providing additional aid to Ukraine amidst ongoing tensions with Russia. Zelenskiy's call for increased support highlights the importance of international cooperation in addressing security challenges in the region.

It is unclear at this time whether former President Trump will accept Zelenskiy's invitation to visit Ukraine and gain firsthand insights into the conflict. However, Zelenskiy's invitation serves to acknowledge the significance of global attention and support in resolving the ongoing crisis.

The views expressed in this article do not reflect the opinion of ICARO, or any of its affiliates.

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