President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy Photo: depositphotos
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy will meet with U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson on the second day of the NATO summit in Washington. The central theme of the NATO summit will be military aid to Ukraine.
Significance Amid Political Uncertainty
As reported by Liga, the meeting between Johnson and Zelenskyy holds special significance amid Ukraine’s and its allies’ concerns. There is a risk that the U.S. may restrict or halt arms supplies to Kyiv if Republican Donald Trump becomes president. This prospect is causing serious concern, as American support plays a crucial role in Ukraine’s defense capability.
December Meeting and Its Impact
In April, Politico reported that a December meeting between the Ukrainian president and Mike Johnson in Washington influenced additional funding for Ukraine. According to sources, Zelenskyy informed Johnson that Ukraine could sustain itself without additional military assistance from the U.S. “until March or April 2024,” emphasizing that thereafter the country would be left without arms. These statements bolstered Ukraine’s support in Congress and facilitated the allocation of long-awaited funds.
Expectations from the Summit
On July 4th, Zelenskyy announced the signing of a “strong security agreement” at the NATO summit. This step aims to strengthen Ukraine’s position in its fight for independence and resistance against Russian aggression. Additionally, on July 5th, it was revealed that Bulgaria is considering allocating 80 million euros to Ukraine at the Washington NATO summit, pending parliamentary approval.
Prospects and Challenges
For Ukraine, the NATO summit in Washington and meetings with senior U.S. officials will be pivotal events. They will determine further steps in obtaining the international support necessary to continue defending the country. In the face of uncertainty surrounding potential changes in U.S. policy, each diplomatic effort carries significant weight.
Thus, Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s meeting with Mike Johnson and the anticipated decisions at the NATO summit could significantly influence Ukraine’s future and its ability to withstand aggression.
