US House Speaker Mike Johnson is in talks with the White House as he prepares to push aid for Ukraine and Israel through the House, Republican Majority Leader Steve Scalise said. Johnson negotiated a package that would differ from the $95B proposed by the Senate and includes several Republican demands.
The speaker also met with former US President Donald Trump on this matter to consult with him on Ukraine funding to win his support – or at least to prevent him from openly opposing the package.
Meanwhile, Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski reprimanded the US Congress for long delays in the decision to finance aid to Ukraine. After the massive Iranian airstrike on Israel, he pointedly called on Johnson to finally put the issue of additional aid for Israel and Ukraine to a vote.
In addition, during his visit to Washington the Prime Minister of Japan, Fumio Kishida, addressed both houses of US Congress, urging them to pass the Ukrainian aid package – otherwise, its hopes would “collapse.”