US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi made an unannounced visit to Ukraine over the weekend as the country continues to push back against Russia’s attacks. Pelosi met with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as Washington looks to assure Ukraine of its support in the war.
Pelosi led a congressional delegation to Kyiv in an unannounced visit in another show of support to Ukraine as it continues to resist Russia in the war. The top House Democrat is the highest-ranking US official so far to visit Ukraine since the beginning of the war.
The delegation led by Pelosi was made up of Democratic Reps. Adam Schiff, Jim McGovern, Jason Crow, Barbara Lee, Gregory Meeks, and Bill Keating.
In a video from the Ukrainian presidency, Pelosi thanked Zelenskyy for continuing to fight back against Russian aggression. Pelosi also said that the US remains committed to assisting Ukraine until the end of the war. The top House Democrat also once again condemned the invasion, describing the offensive as “diabolic.”
“We believe that we are visiting you to say thank you for your fight for freedom…Our commitment is to be there for you until the fight is done,” said Pelosi in the video of the meeting.
The meeting with the Ukrainian leader lasted for three hours, according to Schiff. They discussed sanctions, weapons, and aid assistance. Schiff, who chairs the House Intelligence Committee, said that the US would continue sharing intelligence with Ukraine.
“This is a struggle of freedom against tyranny. And in that struggle, Ukraine is in the front lines,” said the Democratic congressman.
Following the visit to Kyiv, the delegation traveled to Poland and met with Polish President Andrzej Duda and other officials.
A senior Republican said Saturday that Pelosi’s visit to Ukraine will make it more likely to receive approval from lawmakers on both sides.
Speaking on ABC’s “This Week” with host George Stephanopoulos, Rep. Michael McCaul of Texas who is a ranking member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said the House will likely approve the additional request by US President Joe Biden for more assistance to Ukraine.
When pressed if he thinks Congress will quickly pass Biden’s $33 billion package that includes $20 billion in military aid and $8.5 billion in economic aid, McCaul said yes. McCaul noted that the timing of the request is important due to the possible turn of events in the war.