Washington [US], September 22: Ukrainian President VolodymyrZelensky said he had a "great dialogue" with US Senators and expressed his gratefulness for US support, as things looked rougher for his country's prospects in the Republican-controlled House of Representatives.
"We have a great dialogue ... and we're thankful to you, the journalists, the senators for helping us, supporting us," Zelensky said after meeting with members of the Senate, which is controlled by Democrats.
"We spoke about so many details," he said, but did not elaborate.
However, US broadcaster CNN reported that Republican House Speaker Kevin McCarthy had blocked a Zelensky address to a joint session of the House and Senate.
"We don't have time for a joint session," the broadcaster quoted the Republican as
saying.
In December, the Ukrainian president was received like a hero when he addressed a joint session and came away with a military package worth $1.85 billion - including the powerful Patriot air defence system.
But House Republicans are in the midst of a vicious battle over the federal budget, with signs that McCarthy does not have the right-wing faction of his party under control.
Many commentators have predicted that the US government will shut down at the end of the fiscal year on September 30 because of this.
Zelensky is also meeting with President Joe Biden and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin. He has some specific requests for military equipment - especially ATACMS missiles with a range of up to 300 kilometres - but the mood in Washington has changed since his visit late last year.
Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022, the US says it has provided more than $43bn in military aid to Kiev - far more than any other country. There has also been extensive economic aid.
Source: Qatar Tribune
