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Zelensky invitations McCarthy to go to Ukraine amid divide in GOP over U.S. assist Lalrp

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has invited Home Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) to go to Ukraine, amid a rising divide amongst GOP lawmakers over whether or not the US ought to proceed to assist the nation’s efforts to combat off Russian invasion.

Zelensky famous that different lawmakers have visited Ukraine to witness what struggle has executed to the nation and to see firsthand “the availability routes, each shell, each bullet, each greenback [of aid],” Zelensky told ’s Wolf Blitzer, in keeping with a preview clip of the interview aired Wednesday morning.

“I believe that Speaker McCarthy — he by no means visited Kyiv or Ukraine. I believe it might assist him along with his place. Once they come to us … they see the availability routes, each shell, each bullet, each greenback.

“Mr. McCarthy, he has to come back right here to see how we work, what’s occurring right here, what struggle prompted us, which persons are combating now, who’re combating now. After which after that, make your assumptions,” Zelensky mentioned.

Each Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and Senate Minority Chief Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), who strongly assist persevering with to offer assist to Ukraine, have visited Kyiv since Russia invaded, as have a number of different lawmakers from either side of the aisle.

McCarthy, who has repeatedly mentioned he helps Ukraine however not “a clean examine,” appeared to wave off the notion of touring to Ukraine.

“I don’t need to go to Ukraine to grasp the place there’s a clean examine or not,” McCarthy told ’s Manu Raju Tuesday.

In December, Zelensky made a shock go to to Washington to attraction for extra assist in an tackle to a joint assembly of Congress.

“Your cash shouldn’t be charity. It’s an funding within the international safety and democracy that we deal with in probably the most accountable manner,” Zelensky mentioned then.

Congress has appropriated billions in assist for Ukraine on the finish of final 12 months, which was anticipated to final by way of September.

On the primary anniversary of the Russian invasion, McConnell urged the US and its allies to resume their resolve to assist Ukraine because it stands as much as Russian “thuggery,” tacitly pushing again in opposition to members of his personal occasion who’ve grow to be loudly skeptical of Ukraine’s combat.

“America and our pals want to complete waking up from our vacation from historical past, welcome Finland and Sweden into NATO by this summer time, and make vital investments in army modernization and our defense-industrial capacities which can be commensurate with the foremost challenges we face,” McConnell mentioned.

McConnell’s assist stands in stark distinction to former president Donald Trump and a few congressional Republicans, who’ve referred to as for ending or slowing assist to Ukraine. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga), a hard-right ally of McCarthy and one among dozens of Home Republicans to vote in opposition to Ukraine assist in Might, referred to as Biden’s journey to Kyiv “insulting” and proof that he “selected Ukraine over America.” Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) has launched laws to finish assist to Ukraine.

At a conservative discussion board final week, Greene mentioned the U.S. ought to be pushing for peace in Ukraine “as an alternative of funding and persevering with a struggle that appears to be escalating and placing your entire world vulnerable to World Conflict Three.”

Liz Goodwin contributed to this report.

One 12 months of Russia’s struggle in Ukraine

Portraits of Ukraine: Each Ukrainian’s life has modified since Russia launched its full-scale invasion one 12 months in the past — in methods each huge and small. They’ve discovered to outlive and assist one another underneath excessive circumstances, in bomb shelters and hospitals, destroyed condominium complexes and ruined marketplaces. Scroll by way of portraits of Ukrainians reflecting on a 12 months of loss, resilience and concern.

Battle of attrition: Over the previous 12 months, the struggle has morphed from a multi-front invasion that included Kyiv within the north to a battle of attrition largely concentrated alongside an expanse of territory within the east and south. Comply with the 600-mile entrance line between Ukrainian and Russian forces and try the place the combating has been concentrated.

A 12 months of residing aside: Russia’s invasion, coupled with Ukraine’s martial regulation stopping fighting-age males from leaving the nation, has pressured agonizing selections for tens of millions of Ukrainian households about how you can steadiness security, responsibility and love, with once-intertwined lives having grow to be unrecognizable. Right here’s what a prepare station stuffed with goodbyes seemed like final 12 months.

Deepening international divides: President Biden has trumpeted the reinvigorated Western alliance cast through the struggle as a “international coalition,” however a better look suggests the world is much from united on points raised by the Ukraine struggle. Proof abounds that the hassle to isolate Putin has failed and that sanctions haven’t stopped Russia, due to its oil and fuel exports.