Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky appeared on NBC’s “Meet the Press” Sunday and expressed his appreciation to President Joe Biden and members of Congress for supporting the effort to send more military aid to the country as it fights to repel the Russian invasion. 

Zelensky’s comments come after the House passed a bill that will send over $60 billion in aid to Ukraine. The Senate is expected to also vote in favor of the measure, which would also send about $26 billion to Israel.

In the interview with host Kristen Welker, the Ukrainian president started by saying “Thanks to the Congress for the bipartisan support” while also thanking House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) and President Biden.

During his conversation, he said that “this support will really strengthen the armed forces of Ukraine” and that the country would “have a chance for victory if Ukraine really gets the weapon system, which we need so much.”

Zelensky then discussed how the sending of this aid would send a message to Russian President Vladimir Putin.

"The support from the United States of America, and of course, it's the support of the American people because, of course, the political decisions depend on the public opinion.

"This aid will strengthen Ukraine and send the Kremlin a powerful signal that it will not be the second Afghanistan. The United States will stay with Ukraine, will protect the Ukrainians, and they will protect democracy in the world."

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expresses gratitude for the $60 billion in taxpayer funds he is about to receive.

"This aid will strengthen Ukraine and send the Kremlin a powerful signal that it will not be the second Afghanistan." pic.twitter.com/WuYR6XvZai

— Jeff Charles, An Awful Pundit🏴 (@jeffcharlesjr) April 21, 2024

The Ukrainian president then stressed the urgency of getting military aid to the country, saying, “We want to get things as fast as possible so that we get some tangible assistance for the soldiers on the front line as soon as possible, not in another six months, so that they would be able to move ahead."

Later in the conversation, Welker asked: “How long should Americans be expected to fund the war in Ukraine?”

Zelensky responded, arguing that “The Americans are not funding the war in Ukraine. They foremost protect freedom and democracy all over Europe. And Ukraine is fighting.”

In the United States, debates have been raging over the issue of foreign aid. Speaker Johnson has raised controversy over his support of sending continued aid to Ukraine. Conservative Republican members of Congress have vociferously demanded an end to the sending of military and financial provisions to the country.

The opposition from within his party drove Johnson to seek the help of Democrats, a strategy that succeeded in passing the foreign aid package in the House. However, this move might not be without negative consequences. Some of his colleagues have threatened to pursue a motion to vacate in order to remove Johnson from his position as speaker. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) on Sunday wrote a post on X in which she called on him to resign.

Mike Johnson’s Speakership is OVER!

He has betrayed Republicans by handing the gavel to Joe Biden, Chuck Schumer, Hakeem Jeffries, and the rest of the Democrats.

He betrayed us on border security.

He betrayed us on funding endless foreign wars.

He betrayed us on FISA.

He… pic.twitter.com/zUquP3DNFH

— Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene🇺🇸 (@RepMTG) April 21, 2024

As the Senate gears up to vote on the foreign aid package, the international community is watching to see how this situation will play out. It has raised questions about whether the upper chamber will approve the aid and how it will impact the war.

This all boils down to two questions: Will the aid mark a pivotal moment in Ukraine’s fight against the Kremlin, or will it only delay the inevitable fall of Ukraine while jeopardizing the delicate balance of power in the region? Since it is expected that the Senate will approve the aid, the world will be finding out soon enough.