Zelensky Fails To Win Over His Biggest Critics

Ukrainian President Volodymr Zelensky got a rousing reception before, during and after his speech to U.S. Congress, but opposition from some GOP lawmakers remains to Washington footing much of the bill for his fight against Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Wearing his trademark combat-green sweatshirt and boots, Zelensky said that his country was "alive and kicking" and expressed hope that lawmakers would approve an extra $45 billion in aid as part of an omnibus funding bill to "help us to defend our values."

However, sitting out most of the standing ovations that peppered his 22-minute speech were GOP Reps. Lauren Boebert (R-CO), Matt Gaetz (R-FL), and Jim Jordan (R-OH), although Boebert stood while Zelensky entered the chamber.

In a video after the speech, Boebert said that she would not back sending more money to Ukraine until there is a "full audit" of already approved funds, which so far total around $48 billion in military, financial and humanitarian aid.

Only 86 of 213 House Republicans attended Wednesday evening's speech, according to The Hill, which reported that more than a third of House members had active letters to vote by proxy although many were worrying about weather disrupting Christmas travel plans.

Among the biggest critics of Zelensky were Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) who tweeted that he would not attend the speech of a "Ukrainian lobbyist." Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA), who also did not attend Congress, tweeted before the speech that global foreign aid is like Americans being "raped everyday at the hands of their own elected leaders."

After the speech Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX) said it was "theater" that had been "orchestrated" by the outgoing Democrat leadership of the current Senate "to prop up a belief that $47 billion, again, with no debate at all, is just going to be magically created out of thin air."

Rep. Warren Davidson (R-OH) said that Zelensky's speech from the House floor "sends the message we're kind of OK with expanding the war."

Part of the GOP resistance to funding Ukraine is based on an America First policy. Some Republicans back increased military and less humanitarian aid, while others believe the U.S.-Mexico border should be more of a priority. However, the House GOP mostly agrees that there should be greater oversight of where funds have gone.

Rep. Michael McCaul (R-TX), who will chair the House Foreign Affairs Committee in 2023 said the majority of lawmakers from both parties in the House and Senate "support this effort, but they're not going to if we don't have accountability [and] transparency," The Hill reported.

In emailed comments to Newsweek, John Herbst, a former U.S. ambassador to Ukraine, said the reception that Zelensky received and the announcement Kyiv would get Patriot air-defense systems "served as a clear message to Moscow that U.S. investment in Ukraine's defense will only grow."

He said that the U.S. was still "reluctant" to provide longer-range artillery, tanks and fighter jets for fear they would escalate the conflict, despite Zelensky's address which had a "low-key pitch for more advanced weapons."

"Many commentators are referring to Zelensky's visit as an historic one," said Herbst, senior director of the Atlantic Council's Eurasia Center, "That is true only if Ukraine wins this war."

Newsweek has contacted the Ukrainian foreign ministry for comment.