Ukraine's Winter Struggles Persist as Zelensky's Urgency Fails to Rally Republican Support
Ukraine's daunting winter looms as President Zelensky struggles to secure swift aid from Republicans, despite President Biden's repeated promises of unwavering American support since Russia's invasion Biden urges Zelensky to maintain hope amidst a border dispute beyond his control, while pressure mounts for a clear strategy in the ongoing war
During a previous visit to the White House, President Joe Biden promised ongoing American support for Ukraine and reiterated this commitment during President Volodymyr Zelensky's recent visit, pledging to provide critical weapons and equipment for as long as possible.
There has been a subtle shift in language that seems to acknowledge the harsh reality, especially after Zelensky's last-minute plea for more assistance. The support from America is not an assurance or an indefinite commitment. The future for Ukraine looks challenging - with the looming threat of Russian attacks on Ukraine's infrastructure during the harsh winter and the diminishing hope of aid from Capitol Hill.
Officials from the Biden administration emphasize that both the US and Ukraine acknowledge that Ukraine needs to alter its strategy in the coming year to drive the Russians back and secure a better position for negotiations when peace talks come around.
Recently, Ukrainian officials, such as Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, have been seeking more opportunities to meet with senior US military officials, acknowledging the need for a shift in Ukraine's approach to the conflict with Russia. As a result, the US has agreed to extend the presence of General Antonio Aguto, who leads a joint forces command in Germany, known as Security Assistance Group-Ukraine, to provide guidance and support to Ukrainian forces.
Previously, Biden administration officials were hesitant to allow senior military officials to remain in Ukraine for extended periods to advise Ukrainian military officials on their campaign against Russia, fearing that Russia would perceive the US as controlling Ukraine's operations. However, the US now sees the presence of Aguto as crucial for improving intelligence sharing and war gaming between the two countries.
This partnership could potentially help alleviate some of the disagreements that have arisen between the US and Ukraine regarding the best approach to fighting the war against Russia. The US advocated for Ukraine to prioritize the south, deeming it strategically more crucial than the east. However, Zelensky and his advisers disagreed.
Ukrainian officials frustrated some US officials by repeatedly delaying their counteroffensive, allowing Russia to strengthen its defensive lines beyond US expectations. The US has proposed to Ukraine the possibility of shifting focus to holding and building upon the territory they currently control, in order to prevent Russia from forcibly taking it.
Biden urges Zelensky not to lose hope
But that is not a sustainable solution, as the Russians would persist in attacking Ukrainian positions and have the capability to replenish their forces and rearm in a manner that Ukraine cannot.
The Ukrainian leader's visit to the American capital on Tuesday was a stark contrast to his previous wartime trip outside of Ukraine in December 2022. Instead of the bipartisan warmth and support he received during his last visit, Zelensky was met with opposition from Republicans demanding tougher immigration rules before approving new aid. The visit was a far cry from his previous favorable reception, with standing ovations and assurances of more weapons from Congress.
The deadlock over immigration is unlikely to be resolved by the end of the week, as Congress is scheduled to depart for its holiday recess. However, negotiators meeting on Tuesday said they were making progress. Sen. Mitch McConnell, the top Senate Republican and a strong supporter of Ukraine, stated that it was "practically impossible" for a package to be quickly passed.
During talks in the Oval Office, Biden tried to uplift his Ukrainian guest, assuring Zelensky that he wanted to see him hopeful. "Congress must approve additional funding for Ukraine before their holiday break, to prevent giving Putin the best gift for Christmas," Biden emphasized as a fireplace roared in the background.
At that point, it was evident that Zelensky's in-person appeals, which had previously been effective during the 22-month war, no longer held the same influence. It was clear that his capacity to sway Republicans from their stance was now restricted.
"After the meeting in the wood-paneled Mansfield Room in the Capitol, Republican Sen. John Cornyn of Texas stated, "I don't know if he made any difference."
During his news conference with Biden, Zelensky seemed to admit the truth. "The meeting with Republicans was optimistic," he stated, "but we understand the importance of distinguishing between promises and actual outcomes."
Border dispute out of Zelenskys hands
Part of the reason for the impasse is the fact that the central issue - stricter regulations that would restrict the influx of migrants entering the southern border of the US - is completely beyond Zelensky's authority. He refrained from taking a stance on the issue during discussions with lawmakers.
Senator Markwayne Mullin, a Republican from Oklahoma, expressed his support for providing additional aid to Ukraine on the condition that it is tied to stronger border policies. He noted that President Zelensky did not address the immigration issues that are currently hindering negotiations for increased aid. Mullin stated, "We kept the discussion at a high level and are making progress through the process. President Zelensky was understanding and showed great respect."
After Zelensky left the Capitol, discussions on immigration carried on, as top negotiators met with Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas to address their differences. The two sides still disagreed on several proposals, many of which Democrats found too extreme, and it was uncertain if congressional leaders would extend negotiations into the following week.
During his news conference alongside Zelensky, Biden urged Republicans to approve new aid, warning that not doing so would benefit the Russian president. He also highlighted how a Russian state television host had praised Republicans for obstructing the passage of new aid to Ukraine.
"If youre being celebrated by Russian propagandists, it might be time to rethink what youre doing," Biden said.
Zelensky pressed for clear strategy on next phase of war
The immigration dispute aside, there is growing scrutiny on Ukraine's ability to reclaim its territory from Russia following the failure of its recent counteroffensive. GOP House Speaker Mike Johnson stated that Ukraine's strategy needs to be clearly articulated in order to achieve victory, suggesting that the resolution of the immigration dispute may not guarantee immediate approval of Ukraine assistance.
Some Republicans, particularly those aligned with former President Donald Trump, have intensified their criticism of Zelensky's approach and now argue that Kyiv will eventually have to relinquish territory to Russia. "If you examine the vast mismatch in military capabilities, it's clear that reaching a resolution will necessitate some form of negotiation. I'm not saying that it's a positive development, I'm not saying that Russia's invasion of Ukraine is justified, and I'm not saying that it's acceptable for Ukraine to lose territory. However, despite receiving substantial American aid, they have not achieved any significant progress," stated Sen. J.D. Vance of Ohio after exiting a meeting with Zelensky that was attended by all senators on Tuesday morning.
Zelensky was forthright about their strategic problems and the need to address certain issues, Vance noted. He appreciated Zelensky's honesty, but clarified that it did not alter the nature of the conversation in Washington. During his news conference with Biden, Zelensky described the idea of giving up territory as "insane, to be honest."
Tuesdays visit was even more crucial for Zelensky due to the lasting disparities in approach and the first signs of national unity strain within his country since the war began. Biden and other Democrats aimed to utilize his presence to caution against the potential outcomes of a Russian triumph.
Biden emphasized the urgency of providing additional funding to support Ukraine's critical operational needs during his news conference. He stressed that failure to deliver for Ukraine would play into Putin's hands, emphasizing the importance of proving him wrong.
