US aid for Ukraine investment, not charity

GBNEWS24DESK//

President Volodymyr Zelensky told the US Congress on Wednesday that aid to Ukraine is an investment in democracy, not charity, and invoked American victory over the Nazis in a key World War-II battle to press for continued assistance.

Zelensky, on his first foreign wartime visit, wore his trademark olive green pants and sweater, and earlier met President Joe Biden, who urged support to keep flowing in 2023, when congressional approval for Ukrainian aid will be harder.

The United States has sent about $50 billion in assistance to Kyiv as Europe’s biggest land conflict since 1945 drags on, killing tens of thousands, driving millions from their homes and reducing cities to ruins. On Wednesday, it pledged to provide Patriot missiles.

But some Republicans, who will take control of the House of Representatives from Democrats on January 3, have expressed concerns about the price tag. They could hold up billions of dollars in war aid starting next month.

“Your money is not charity. It is an investment in the global security and democracy that we handle in the most responsible way,” Zelensky told a joint session of the US Senate and House of Representatives, speaking in English.

The world was too interconnected to allow any country to stand aside and feel safe, he added.

Zelensky’s speech was aimed at softening the concerns of Republicans when they take over Congress and keeping US public opinion on his side with reminders of the hardships his people face, reports Reuters.

Members of Congress stood, cheered, applauded and shook Zelensky’s hand as he entered the chamber, with several wearing the colours of the Ukrainian flag, blue and yellow.

He received multiple standing ovations from an audience that also included members of the Ukrainian diaspora and religious figures.

Earlier, Zelensky was greeted by Biden and first lady Jill Biden on the White House lawn and the two leaders appeared together at the Oval Office, followed by a news conference.

“Ukraine’s fight is part of something much bigger,” Biden said, pledging that the United States would lend its support against “Russian aggression” for “as long as it takes.”

“I’m not at all worried about holding the alliance,” Biden said. “I feel very good about solidarity and support for Ukraine.”

Zelensky said: “The United States will stand up for our shared values, the values of freedom.”

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken also announced the United States would provide another $1.85 billion in military aid for Ukraine including the highly advanced Patriot air defence system to help it ward off barrages of Russian missiles.

Meanwhile, Kremlin said yesterday that supplies of US Patriot missile systems to Ukraine would not help settle the conflict or prevent Russia from achieving its goals.