Zelenskiy courts US Congress, Biden on military aid
STORY: The presidents of Ukraine and the United States met at the White House on Thursday.
Volodymyr Zelenskiy's main mission during a cross-city blitz in Washington:
Convince U.S. lawmakers - including skeptical ones - to keep up support for Ukraine in its war with Russia.
JOE BIDEN: "No nation can be truly secure in the world if in fact we don't stand up and defend the freedom of Ukraine."
At the Senate, Zelenskiy kept his comments diplomatic:
"I think we had very strong, very strong dialogue with Senators."
But this visit - which included a stop at the Pentagon...
JOURNALIST: "What do you need from the Pentagon?"
...is tougher for Zelenskiy than a previous one nine months ago.
(Date: December 21, 2022)
ZELENSKIY: "Ukraine is alive and kicking."
While Biden and most Congressional leaders still support helping Ukraine, Republicans now control the House...
And some in their party aren't so sure about giving a Congressional stamp of approval on more aid.
They're questioning the billions of dollars Washington has sent Kyiv... some $113 billion in security and humanitarian aid so far.
The debate is playing out all as a possible government shutdown over spending looms overhead.
Still, national security adviser Jake Sullivan says the White House will forge ahead with a new military aid package featuring help with air defense.
"These capabilities will help Ukraine harden its defenses ahead of what is likely to be a hard winter."
