Will Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s US Visit Win Over Kevin McCarthy?

In a powerful signal to Vladimir Putin, Volodymyr Zelenskyy is set to arrive in the United States on Wednesday, where he is set to meet with President Joe Biden in the White House and deliver an address to Congress. It will mark the first time the Ukrainian president has left his country since the Russian president launched an assault on Ukraine 300 days ago in February. While Biden has stressed that he will not allow the United States to be pulled into an active war with Russia, the decision to host Zelenskyy sends a clear message to Russia that the administration’s support for Ukraine has not faded.

Ahead of Zelenskyy’s arrival, Karine Jean-Pierre, the White House press secretary, said in a statement that the “visit will underscore the United States’ steadfast commitment to supporting Ukraine for as long as it takes, including through the provision of economic, humanitarian, and military assistance.” 

But that commitment will likely be on shakier ground come January, when control of the House is passed back to Republicans. Zelenskyy is slated to address a body that’s gearing up for a significant shift in power. Republican leader Kevin McCarthy warned in October that Ukraine would not be receiving a “blank check” from the United States in a Republican House. And several Republicans renewed the sentiment in late November, even calling for an inspector general to review the aid that’s been sent. “It’s high time to stop sending any more money—don’t send another penny to Ukraine,” Kentucky’s Thomas Massie said then. With aid for Ukraine still popular in the Senate, even among Republicans, it’s unlikely the well will fully dry—but these dynamics could put pressure on future negotiations. Per Politico, US and Ukrainian officials see Zelenskyy’s visit as an opportunity to win over the incoming Congress.

Congress is poised to approve another $45 billion in aid to Ukraine this week as part of the $1.7 trillion federal government funding bill (one that some conservative Republicans have been vocally grumbling about). Should Congress sign off on the latest round of funding, it will bring the total amount of US aid to Ukraine to more than $100 billion. Biden is also expected to announce $1.8 billion in security assistance, along with missile systems and precision bomb kits, according to CNN. 

Zelenksyy’s highly risky trip comes as Putin’s assault on Ukraine will soon stretch into its second year. Plans for the visit were kept under the utmost secrecy, up until yesterday. “We are ending a very special session of the 117th Congress with legislation that makes progress for the American people as well as support for our democracy,” Speaker Nancy Pelosi reportedly wrote in a letter to all members of the House on Tuesday night, an apparent reference to Zelenskyy’s visit. “Please be present for a very special focus on democracy Wednesday night.”