The Daily Observer London Desk: Reporter- Donna Robert
House Speaker Kevin McCarthy pressed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on accountability, the speed of weapons arriving from the U.S. and the need for a victory plan during a closed-door meeting with Republican and Democratic House leaders.
House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael T. McCaul told reporters after the meeting that he and Mr. McCarthy asked Mr. Zelenskyy what he needed in the war against Russia.
The Texas Republican said that it was clear Mr. Zelenskyy needed weapons, and fast.
“We need to give them everything they need,” Mr. McCaul said. “If this administration won’t give it to them, then I submitted that we write in our appropriations.”
Mr. McCaul said it has taken too long for the Biden administration to send weapons, like F-16 fighter jets, to Ukraine. He added that the speaker also discussed accountability with Mr. Zelenskyy and what a plan for victory might look like.
President Biden’s $24 billion request for more Ukraine funding also came up during the meeting. Mr. McCaul said Mr. Zelenskyy will get that money, with this catch: How will Ukraine win?
“I know there’s some dissension on both sides,” Mr. McCaul said, “but I said, ‘A war of attrition is not going to win this; that’s what Putin wants.’”
“He wants to break the will of the American people and the Europeans,” the congressman continued. “We can’t afford a war of attrition; we need to plan for victory. And we need to do it soon.”
