Zelensky: Speaker Johnson said he’d do ‘everything’ to support Ukraine

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said Sunday that House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana) would support Ukraine aid as lawmakers work to reach an agreement on providing military aid to the war-torn country. “Everything will be done,” he said.

In an interview with CNN’s Caitlan Collins on Sunday, Zelenskiy said his message to Johnson was “trust” and “can you trust your partner?”

Zelenskiy continued: “That’s what I have to say.” “So, when we talked to each other, he said he was going to do everything to support Ukraine, that he was on our side and how heroic our people, soldiers, civilians, etc. He said he understands that there is. And he said…his prayers are with us, and he said he would do it.”

Zelenskiy said he met with Collins on the second anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and delivered the same message to the White House as Johnson did during his visit to the United States.

He begged President Biden for an agreement, saying he asked him and Johnson to “pause” partisan issues between Democrats and Republicans and help lawmakers reach a deal. Zelenskiy also acknowledged that the “election period” is a “challenging period.”

“Yes, I delivered this message, my message. I think Johnson heard it. And Biden heard it too. That’s it. What can I do? I can’t press the speaker. . This is his decision, but I think he understands all the challenges we have.”

Zelenskiy’s interview came more than four months after President Biden requested the latest aid package, including military funding, for Ukraine. The Senate recently passed a bipartisan national security funding package that includes $60 billion for Ukraine, but the House of Representatives, under Johnson’s leadership, has refused to bring the package to the floor for a vote. .

Asked in the interview if he trusted Johnson’s words, Zelensky told Collins: You have to trust. But let us take a look. ”