Zelensky urges Senate to stand with Ukraine amid border deal standoff

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky directly appealed to senators for continued U.S. assistance on Tuesday as the Senate trudges on with talks on a border security deal that is critical to passing a larger bill that funds the war.

A bipartisan working group of senators has made next to no progress in weeks on a border security deal, which would be added to a defense spending bill that includes Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan assistance. Negotiators on both sides have acknowledged that the border measure is critical to passing the legislation through both chambers in a divided government.

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Zelensky’s Tuesday visit put a spotlight on the stalled negotiations, which have no end in sight despite this being the last working week of the year for the upper chamber.

The Ukrainian president did not stop to speak to reporters in the Capitol, ignoring dozens of shouted questions about his discussions or the status of the war effort.

(Graeme Jennings / Washington Examiner)

Meanwhile, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) said it was a “very good and productive meeting” while walking next to Zelensky and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY).

Senators who attended the meeting said Zelensky largely discussed the latest from the front lines and how U.S. aid was being spent. He also answered questions about allegations of corruption related to those funds.

“President Zelensky’s message was simple: We’ve held our own. We can win.” Sen. John Kennedy (R-LA) said. “We’re going to keep fighting no matter what the United States does, but we need your help to win this thing.”

Sen. Mike Rounds (R-SD) told the Washington Examiner that Zelensky did not provide topline numbers for how much financial aid Ukraine would need in total, though Sen. Eric Schmitt (R-MO), who opposes additional Ukraine aid, noted that members have “also been told in previous briefings that they might need another $100 billion next year.”

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Numerous members acknowledged to Zelensky that the border dispute was holding up the Ukraine aid. Sen. Chris Murphy (D-CT), the lead Democratic negotiator on the border deal, told reporters that Zelensky said he still expects Congress to be able to deliver Ukraine aid despite the standoff.

Zelensky is also meeting on Tuesday with House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) and will hold a joint press conference with President Joe Biden later at the White House.