WASHINGTON (AP) — Senate Republican chief Mitch McConnell and a delegation of GOP senators met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv throughout an unannounced go to Saturday, delivering the newest present of American solidarity with the nation at warfare with Russia.
“Our delegation reaffirmed to President Zelenskyy that the USA stands squarely behind Ukraine and can maintain our help till Ukraine wins this warfare,” McConnell mentioned in an announcement launched after the delegation had left Ukraine.
A video posted on Zelenskyy’s Telegram account confirmed McConnell, R-Ky., and Sens. Susan Collins of Maine, John Barrasso of Wyoming and John Cornyn of Texas greeting him within the capital. Zelensky, in an Instagram publish, referred to as the go to “a robust sign of bipartisan help for Ukraine from the USA Congress and the American folks.”
Later, in his nightly video deal with. Zelenskyy mentioned he believed that the senators’ journey confirmed “the sturdy connection between the Ukrainian and American folks. We mentioned numerous areas of help for our nation, together with protection and finance, in addition to strengthening sanctions in opposition to Russia.”
The journey got here at a time when the Senate is working to approve a virtually $40 billion package deal for Ukraine, a considerable infusion of help that may push American support to the area nicely above $50 billion. The measure contains $6 billion for Ukraine for intelligence, tools and coaching for its forces, plus $4 billion in financing to assist Ukraine and NATO allies construct up their militaries.
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Passage was delayed Thursday by Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky, who demanded the inclusion of a proposal to have an inspector basic scrutinize the brand new spending. However closing approval just isn’t unsure and will come within the week forward, reflecting overwhelming help in Congress for replenishing the Ukrainian warfare effort.
“They’re solely asking for the sources they should defend themselves in opposition to this deranged invasion,” McConnell mentioned this previous week of the Ukrainians. “They usually want this assist proper now.”
In his assertion after the go to, McConnell referred to as the go to “inspiring” and mentioned he and his colleagues had seen firsthand “the braveness, unity, and resolve of the Ukrainian folks.”
McConnell added: “It’s squarely in our nationwide curiosity to assist Ukraine obtain victory on this warfare and to assist Ukraine and different nations deter different wars of aggression earlier than they begin.”
It was the second high-profile congressional delegation to cease in Ukraine in as many weeks. Home Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., visited on Might 1 with a gaggle of Home Democrats and promised Zelenskyy that the USA will “be there for you till the battle is finished.”
First girl Jill Biden visited western Ukraine final weekend for a Mom’s Day assembly with Zelenskyy’s spouse, Olena Zelenska.
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