Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky shared in a CNN interview that Mike Johnson, Speaker of the US House of Representatives, assured him of continued support for Ukraine.
Zelensky recalled Johnson's commitment, "Said that he will do everything to support Ukraine, and he is on our side, and he understands how heroic our people are, our soldiers, civilians. And he said that his prayers are with us, and he said that he will do it."
Zelensky mentioned his request to US President Joe Biden and Johnson to overlook partisan differences to ensure aid for Ukraine.
"It's a difficult election season. Yes, I've delivered that message. I think Johnson heard it. And Biden heard it, too. So that's it. What can I do? I can't push the speaker. It's his decision, but I think, he understands all the problems we face," the Ukrainian President said.
When asked if he trusts Johnson's assurances, Zelensky expressed cautious optimism, "he should trust, but we'll see."
Recent Developments in US Aid
On February 14, 2024, President Biden urged Speaker Johnson to expedite the voting process on crucial aid for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan. Following this, a compromise bill proposing $47.7 billion for Ukraine was introduced by 10 members of the US House of Representatives on February 16.
The House of Representatives' break until February 28 poses a potential delay in the aid bill's progress. There's a mechanism allowing Democrats to bypass the Speaker to bring the bill to the floor, requiring 218 signatures, a process complicated by the current distribution of seats in the House.
On February 21, Biden reiterated his call for Johnson to facilitate a vote on the aid bill, expressing confidence in its passage if presented for voting.
