Ukrainian President Zelensky talks with new Speaker McCarthy, urges continued U.S. support

Ukrainian President Volodomyr Zelensky addressed new US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Ca.) on Twitter this weekend, congratulating him on his victory and urging him to continue supporting Ukraine in its battle against Russia.

As the Russian assault approaches its one year mark, and the US House of Representatives shifts to Republican leadership, there is a question mark over the future of US aid to Ukraine when it comes to the GOP.

President Zelensky directly addressed McCarthy on Twitter on Saturday, writing, “Congratulations to @GOPLeader on his election as the Speaker of [USA’s] House of Representatives. [United States]. support in all fields has been vital for [Ukraine’s] success on the battlefield. We’re counting on your continued support and further U.S. assistance to bring our common victory closer.”

As McCarthy takes control of the gavel in the House this week, he faces opposition from some members of the GOP who believe the US has overspent on Ukrainian aid and should scale back.

McCarthy himself has previously railed against the White House’s generous aid packages to Kyiv, saying in an October interview, “I think people are gonna be sitting in a recession and they’re not going to write a blank check to Ukraine,” McCarthy told Punchbowl News. “They just won’t do it. … It’s not a free blank check.”

Zelensky recently made a visit to Washington D.C. ahead of the Christmas holiday, appealing to both the White House and both chambers of Congress to keep assisting Ukraine as it fights Russia back.

After Zelensky’s speech to Congress, McCarthy doubled down on his opinion. “He laid out a number of reasons why the free world wants to continue the fight,” he said. “My position has never changed. I support Ukraine but I never support a blank check.”