Three US congressmen visiting Kiev on Monday promised Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky continued American support, but warned that Israel now requires Washington’s attention as well.
Zelensky’s office shared a five-minute video of the meeting between the Ukrainian leadership and the US delegation, consisting of Republican J. French Hill of Arkansas and Democrats Stephen Lynch of Massachusetts and Mike Quigley of Illinois.
“We respect you, the Republican and Democratic Party, the administration of President Joseph Biden, and also both houses of the American Congress united in support of Ukraine,” Zelensky told his visitors. “This will send a powerful signal to the world for those who will win in the struggle for our spiritual values – freedom and democracy.”
Hill assured Zelensky of “bipartisan support” on Capitol Hill but noted that the US now had to deal with helping Israel in its war against Hamas in Gaza.
“Your fight is our fight,” said Lynch, vowing that Congress will keep funding aid to Ukraine.
Quigley, who is a major booster of Kiev, urged Zelensky to offer more arguments for economic and humanitarian aid in addition to the military assistance, adding that the US is interested in helping Ukraine “become more self-sufficient” in terms of ammunition supply.
“I understand that there is a need for 155 mm shells, but Israel needs them too,” Quigley told Zelensky, according to the Kiev translation of his remarks.