Volodymir Zelensky, President of Ukraine, asked Republican Party members for help to get the United States to send more weapons to the country, which has been in conflict with Russia for a year. The inquiry took place in Kiev this week and was revealed by American television CNN.
According to the network, Zelenski met with Michael McCaul, chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, and other members of the Republican Party. In the conversation, he called for F16 fighter jets, longrange missiles and other weapons to hasten the end of the war in Europe.
Today, Republicans have no unified position on US support for Ukraine in the conflict.
Many within the party argue that the guns and funds sent to Zelenskyy were not used as they should have been resulting in “waste, fraud and abuse,” according to a letter to President Joe Biden.
The opening of an inquiry to investigate possible irregularities in this regard is being discussed in the House.
Leaders fear sending fighter jets will exacerbate conflict
Another concern for the United States is that sending F16 fighter jets to Ukraine will intensify the war with Russia. Both Biden and General Mark Milley, the US chief of staff, have previously expressed concerns about this.
On the other hand, there are leaders who see fighter jets as an important weapon for Zelenskyy to win the conflict. One of them is General Christopher Cavoli, Supreme Allied Commander for Europe and head of US European Command, who expressed this position at a meeting with 10 Republican congressmen.
By the end of January, the United States had transferred $24 billion to Ukraine. In addition, the deployment of combat vehicles, armored personnel carriers and ammunition was announced.