Zelenskyy to Meet with Senators This Thursday

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is set to meet with a bipartisan group of U.S. senators on Thursday, according to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer’s office.

However, House Speaker Mike Johnson expressed uncertainty about whether members of the House would also engage with Zelenskyy. He stated, “I don’t know if it’s on our schedule or not,” during a weekly news conference on Tuesday. Johnson described Thursday’s agenda as “very fluid,” primarily due to the House’s effort to pass a short-term funding bill aimed at maintaining government operations through December 20. A vote on this measure is expected to take place on Wednesday.

In addition to meeting with senators, Zelenskyy is scheduled to have a separate discussion with President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris at the White House on Thursday. This meeting will focus on his “victory plan” regarding Ukraine’s ongoing conflict with Russia, which has reached a critical point after over two years of warfare.

As part of his visit, Zelenskyy is advocating for the U.S. and NATO to lift restrictions on Ukraine’s usage of long-range missiles supplied by Western nations. This push comes amid concerns that such actions could elevate the conflict, with Russian President Vladimir Putin warning that Ukraine’s deployment of long-range missiles targeting deep inside Russian territory would signify a significant escalation of NATO’s involvement.

Zelenskyy is currently in the United States to address the United Nations General Assembly in New York, where he is expected to deliver remarks on Wednesday. The conference offers a platform for global leaders to discuss critical issues, and Zelenskyy’s address is anticipated to focus on the war and its implications.

Additionally, during his visit, Zelenskyy toured an ammunition manufacturing facility in Scranton, Pennsylvania, on Sunday. This visit underscores the cooperation between Ukraine and U.S. manufacturers in bolstering Ukraine’s defense capabilities amid the ongoing conflict with Russia.

The circumstances surrounding Zelenskyy’s meetings and advocacy efforts reflect the urgency and significance of Ukraine’s situation on the world stage. The outcomes of these discussions may have important implications for military support and diplomatic relations between Ukraine, the U.S., and NATO allies.