Biden invitations Zelenskyy to the White House amid a stepped-up push for Congress to approve extra help

WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden has invited Ukraine‘s leader, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, to the White House on Tuesday as the U.S. administration steps up the pressure on Congress to provide billions more in aid to Kyiv in the war with Russia.

The visit is intended “to underscore the United States’ unshakeable dedication to supporting the individuals of Ukraine as they defend themselves towards Russia’s brutal invasion,” the White House mentioned in an announcement Sunday. “As Russia ramps up its missile and drone strikes against Ukraine, the leaders will discuss Ukraine’s urgent needs and the vital importance of the United States’ continued support at this critical moment.”

Biden has requested Congress for a $110 billion package deal of wartime funding for Ukraine ($61.4 billion) and Israel, together with different nationwide safety priorities. But the request is caught up in a debate over U.S. immigration coverage and border safety.

Earlier, Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Sunday defended the emergency sale to Israel of almost 14,000 rounds of tank ammunition and in addition known as for fast congressional approval of the international help.

Blinken mentioned the wants of Israel’s navy operations in Gaza justify the uncommon choice to bypass Congress. “Israel is in combat right now with Hamas,” he mentioned throughout tv interviews. “And we want to make sure that Israel has what it needs to defend itself against Hamas.”

The tank ammunition and associated help represent solely a small portion of navy gross sales to Israel, Blinken mentioned, and that the remainder stays topic to congressional evaluate. “It’s essential that Congress‘ voice be heard in this,” he said.

The decision to proceed with the sale of more than $106 million for tank shells came as the Biden administration’s bigger help package deal is caught up in a debate over U.S. immigration coverage and border safety.

Blinken famous that President Joe Biden has mentioned he’s prepared to make vital compromises to get the help package deal shifting. “It’s something the president is fully prepared to engage on,” Blinken mentioned.

Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah, mentioned there’s bipartisan settlement that one thing needs to be completed to handle document numbers of migrants crossing into the United States from Mexico.

“We want to solve that, to secure the border. I just saw the president of the United States say that we’ve got to secure the border. He’s right. So, any effort that doesn’t do that will be rejected by Republicans,” Romney mentioned.

The stakes are particularly excessive for Ukraine, Blinken mentioned, provided that “ we are running out of funding ” for the Ukrainians.

“This is a time to really step up because if we don’t, we know what happens. (Russian President Vladimir) Putin will be able to move forward with impunity and we know he won’t stop in Ukraine.”

Congress already has allotted $111 billion to help Ukraine, and Biden’s finances director, Shalanda Young, mentioned in a letter this previous week to House and Senate leaders that the U.S. will run out of funding to ship weapons and help to Ukraine by the tip of the yr, which might “kneecap” Ukraine on the battlefield.

But Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio, mentioned the administration has but to justify further help to Ukraine. “So what we’re saying to the president and really to the entire world is, you need to articulate what the ambition is. What is $61 billion going to accomplish that $100 billion hasn’t?” Vance mentioned.

Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., mentioned the cash would make a distinction as a result of Russia is struggling to fund its conflict effort. “It can change the outcome of this war,” Murphy mentioned. “Because at the very same time that we are making a renewed commitment to Ukraine, Russia’s ability to continue to fight this war is in jeopardy.”

Romney mentioned he additionally helps the help to Ukraine. “My own view is that it’s very much in America’s interest to see Ukraine successful and to provide the weapons that Ukraine needs to defend itself. Anything other than that would be a huge dereliction of our responsibility, I believe, to the world of democracy but also to our own national interest,” he mentioned.

Blinken appeared on ABC’s “This Week” and CNN’s “State of the Union.” Romney and Murphy have been on NBC’s “Meet the Press.” Vance was on CNN.