WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris and members of Congress in Washington, D.C., on Thursday.
Biden announced a new $7.9 billion support package for Ukraine.
“Russia will not prevail,” Biden said. “Ukraine will prevail.”
Zelenskyy asked President Joe Biden and members of Congress to release the restrictions on western long-range missiles. Currently, U.S. policy doesn’t allow Ukraine to use those on targets in Russia. Russian President Vladamir Putin warned that move would put Russia at war with the U.S. and NATO.
Senator Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), who met with Zelenskyy on Capitol Hill, supported Zelenskyy’s proposal.
“The only way you’re going to get Russia to the table is hit them harder than you’re hitting them today,” Graham said.
Zelenskyy thanked Biden for American support after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
“Ukraine and America have stood side-by-side from the very first moments of this terrible Russian invasion,” Zelenskyy said in the Oval Office.
His visit to Washington came amid criticism from Republicans that Zelenskyy is getting involved in the U.S. elections. Zelenskyy toured a munitions factory in Pennsylvania with Democrats. He said, to thank the manufacturers for saving Ukrainian lives.
“Whether it was intended, or not, it has a political perception and that’s a mistake,” said Graham.
Zelenskyy also told the New Yorker Republican Vice-Presidential Candidate Sen. JD Vance (R-Ohio.) is “too radical.” He said Vance supports Ukraine giving up territories.
On the campaign trail on Wednesday, former president Donald Trump criticized Zelenskyy’s comments.
“The President of Ukraine is in our country and he’s making, little, nasty aspersions toward your favorite President, me,” Trump said. “Ukraine is gone. It’s not Ukraine anymore.”
Late Thursday, Trump posted a message on his Truth Social platform suggesting Zelenskyy had asked for a meeting with Trump on Friday.
