Zelenskyy knows border security is holding up Ukraine aid. He's not addressing it.

Zelenskyy knows border security is holding up Ukraine aid. He’s not addressing it.

Dec 12, 2023

The southern border has become a third rail of congressional politics, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy isn’t touching it.

Speaking to all senators during a closed-door Tuesday morning meeting, Zelenskyy made his case for more Ukraine aid before a bloc of skeptical Republicans. But he didn’t touch the biggest obstacle to getting a national security aid package done before the end of the year.

In fact, he seemingly tried to avoid it when lawmakers brought it up. Multiple senators indicated that Republicans raised border security in questions to the war-time leader, but said that Zelenskyy didn’t directly address it.

“The inability to address our open southern border is a huge sticking point, no matter where you stand on Ukraine,” said Sen. Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.). “We’ve also been told in previous briefings that they might need another $100 billion next year. I just don’t know how you go back home and explain that to people when again, they’re paying more every time they go to the grocery store.”

The Missouri Republican added: “There is a massive disconnect between the conversations that are happening in Washington, D.C. and the conversations that are happening in real America. And that, obviously, was apparent today.”

Both Senate leaders — Chuck Schumer and Mitch McConnell — escorted Zelenskyy in and out of the meeting, a show of unity amid a Congress often defined by partisan squabbling. Though McConnell, despite being a consistent advocate for Ukraine, has said Republicans won’t consider more aid without significant border policy changes.

“If he gets the help he needs, he will win,” Schumer told reporters following the meeting. “If we lose, Putin wins — and this will be very, very dangerous for the United States.”

Schumer said Zelenskyy underscored a key point: “He needs the aid quickly.”

Even as border talks have stagnated, multiple Democrats indicated they want to get something done to address border security while recognizing the need to act swiftly to aid Ukraine.

“I want to do something at the border,” said Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.), a member of Democratic leadership. “We want to do something at the border. And so I want to get an agreement.”

Sen. Peter Welch (D-Vt.) added of the border talks in the context of Zelenskyy’s visit: “He totally understands that’s our issue.”

The Senate gathering came before Zelenskyy headed to the House side for separate meetings with Speaker Mike Johnson and Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries. The House Democratic leader said Zelenskyy did not discuss border measures in the meeting with him, either: “We did not discuss domestic political considerations.”

The Ukrainian president will also meet with President Joe Biden later on Tuesday.

Daniella Diaz contributed to this report.

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