Republican senators led pay surprise visit to Zelensky in Kyiv

Republican senators led by Mitch McConnell pay surprise visit to Zelensky in Kyiv

On Saturday, May 14, US Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell led a group of Republican senators on a surprise trip to Kyiv to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

The trip, the latest in a series of high-level US visits, comes as a bipartisan bill in Congress to send $40 billion in additional aid to Ukraine to help with the war remains stalled.

Senators McConnell, Susan Collins (R-Maine), John Cornyn (R-Texas), and John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) made the trip just two days after their Republican colleague, Sen.

Kentucky Senator Rand Paul forced a temporary halt to the massive military and humanitarian aid bill.

Zelensky described the visit as “a strong signal of bipartisan support for Ukraine from the United States Congress and the American people.”

“Thank you for your leadership in assisting us in fighting not only for our country, but also for democratic values and liberties,” the president said. “Thank you very much.”

Republican senators led by Mitch McConnell pay Zelensky a surprise visit in Kyiv (photos/video).

According to a top Zelensky aide, the visit signaled the end of the congressional impasse.

“A $40 billion decision is expected next week,” wrote Andrij Sybiha on Facebook.

“Today, our state enjoys strong bipartisan and bicameral support from Americans.” “As well as the American people.”

Recall that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi had a similar surprise meeting with Zelensky on May 1, and that first lady Jill Biden greeted Zelensky’s wife Olena Zelenska in an unannounced Mother’s Day trip across the Ukrainian border last Sunday.

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View the video below.

President Zelensky welcomed US delegation to Kyiv led by Sen Mitch McConnell today. Zelensky said it’s “a strong signal of bipartisan support for Ukraine.”
“Thank you for your leadership in helping us fight not only for our country, but also for democratic values ​​and freedoms.” pic.twitter.com/amTIudErkb

— Christopher Miller (@ChristopherJM) May 14, 2022