By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News
KYIV/BUDAPEST/WASHINGTON (Worthy News) – Ukraine’s president arrived in Washington on Monday to try to rescue a multi-billion dollar military aid package after already suffering setbacks with a vital member of the European Union.
Volodymyr Zelensky’s visit to the United States, his third since Russia invaded his country in 2022, is overshadowed by U.S. domestic, partisan politics.
Republicans are demanding concessions from rival Democrats on border funding in exchange for approving a $60 billion aid package to Ukraine.
Zelensky already faced a heated exchange with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán on the sidelines of the inauguration n of Argentina’s new president.
While details of their discussion have not been revealed, their brief meeting came after Orbán called Ukraine “one of the most corrupt countries in the world” that should not join the European Union under current circumstances.
He added in an interview that “It’s a joke!” and that “we cannot take the decision to start a process of accession negotiations,” which he has threatened to veto later this week.
Orbán has also threatened to block $52 billion in financial aid to the wartorn nation while making extensive business deals in the areas of energy with Russia.
Critics say Orbán is using Ukraine as a bargaining chip to unlock billions in EU funding withheld from Hungary over its perceived democratic backsliding, massive corruption, and rule-of-law concerns.
Though Ukraine fended off Russia’s original attack, its counter-attack this year has made little progress. There have been signs of fatigue from some of the Western nations to support Ukraine more militarily.
Copyright 1999-2026 Worthy News. This article was originally published on Worthy News and was reproduced with permission.
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