Jake Sullivan, the National Security Adviser, convened with Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv on Wednesday to underscore the United States’ backing for the embattled nation amidst ongoing challenges with congressional aid initiatives.
In their discussions, Sullivan emphasized the imperative for the U.S. House of Representatives to promptly approve the national security supplemental to address Ukraine’s pressing battlefield requirements, as highlighted by Adrienne Watson, spokesperson for the National Security Council.
Sullivan acknowledged the challenges in passing supplemental aid for Ukraine during a press conference on Wednesday, recognizing the delays and uncertainties in Congress. Despite this, he expressed confidence in overcoming these obstacles, affirming the commitment to deliver aid to Ukraine.
Later in the conference, Sullivan reiterated his confidence in achieving the primary goal of passing the aid package through Congress, emphasizing the importance of swiftly disbursing the funds to Ukraine.
Zelenskyy described the meeting with Sullivan as significant and focused, highlighting discussions on defense cooperation and shared political objectives. He expressed appreciation for the support from the U.S.
During their discussions, Sullivan and Zelenskyy addressed strategies to hold Russia accountable, including the implementation of sanctions and export controls, alongside advancing anti-corruption measures and other reforms crucial for Ukraine’s integration into the Euro-Atlantic community, as stated by National Security Council spokesman John Kirby.
Additionally, Sullivan held meetings with Andriy Yermak, Zelenskyy’s chief of staff, and other high-ranking Ukrainian officials, as confirmed by Watson.
Zelenskyy emphasized the importance of robust American leadership in upholding the international legal order, underscoring the significance of maintaining strong support from the U.S.
The visit to Ukraine occurs amidst a deeply divided Congress, which has yet to make progress on an aid package for Ukraine. While the Senate passed a bipartisan national security package in February, including aid for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan, the House faces challenges due to conservative pressures to include preferred provisions related to the southern border.
Despite these hurdles, efforts are underway in the House to develop a Ukraine aid package, with discussions including the possibility of treating some nonmilitary aid as a loan, as reported by NBC News in March.
