As you may already know, Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited Washington, at President Joe Biden’s request, in order to lobby for additional U.S. military assistance (shorthand: taxpayer money) in its ongoing war against Russia. The GOP’s attachment of border reforms as a precondition to any further outlays of taxpayer dollars in Ukraine seems to have infuriated the media, if this ABC World News tonight report on Zelenskyy’s visit is any indication.
Watch as anchor David Muir delivers not a tease or an intro, but a whole monologue prior to Mary Bruce’s reporting on Zelenskyy’s visit to the White House and meetings with congressional leaders:
DAVID MUIR: There is also breaking news here in the U.S. Ukraine's President Zelenskyy just moments ago, before the cameras in Washington with President Biden, with his urgent plea for help from the U.S. in trying to fight off Russia. But that funding is being blocked by Republicans and their demands tonight. President Biden promising the American people will not walk away from Ukraine, but the reality is, that funding is being blocked. Republican leaders listening to Zelenskyy's pleas during meetings on the Hill today, but not moved to act. The president tonight saying those who stand in the way of this urgent help are giving Putin the greatest Christmas gift they can possibly give him. Zelenskyy late today saying, “we are fighting for us and for you”, trying to remind anyone listening of the stakes up against Russia. The Republicans blocking this are saying, “no more money until the White House does what we want on the border”. President Biden arguing help for Ukraine should not be held hostage.
That was a mouthful, even in this weird shorthand that these TV news types speak (what’s up with that?). But within this recitation, there is a complete parroting of the White House’s talking points on the ongoing negotiations with Republicans over the assistance it wishes to send to Ukraine.
Republican demands for significant border reforms as part of any assistance package to Ukraine are regarded as a petulant demand rather than a reasonable national security request. Biden’s “Christmas gift to Putin” smear, intended to evoke the Trump-era Russian collusion fever dream, is parroted mindlessly. If the border continues to be unenforced, so be it.
Mary Bruce’s video package was more of the same. The report closes with Muir hammering the points yet again.
If it weren’t for blatantly partisan media, we’d have no media at all.
Click “expand” to view the full transcript of the aforementioned report as aired on ABC World News Tonight on Tuesday, December 13th, 2023:
DAVID MUIR: There is also breaking news here in the U.S. Ukraine's President Zelenskyy just moments ago, before the cameras in Washington with President Biden, with his urgent plea for help from the U.S. in trying to fight off Russia. But that funding is being blocked by Republicans and their demands tonight. President Biden promising the American people will not walk away from Ukraine, but the reality is, that funding is being blocked. Republican leaders listening to Zelenskyy's pleas during meetings on the Hill today, but not moved to act. The president tonight saying those who stand in the way of this urgent help are giving Putin the greatest Christmas gift they can possibly give him. Zelenskyy late today saying, “we are fighting for us and for you, trying to remind anyone listening of the stakes up against Russia”. The Republicans blocking this are saying, “no more money until the White House does what we want on the border”. President Biden arguing help for Ukraine should not be held hostage. Our chief White House correspondent Mary Bruce, leading us off from Washington tonight.
MARY BRUCE: It's a far cry from the hero's welcome he received a year ago, addressing a joint session of Congress. Tonight, Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy behind closed doors with lawmakers, pleading for more help against Russia.
PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN: Well, Mr. President, welcome back.
BRUCE: In the Oval Office, a warm embrace from President Biden. Biden warning unless Congress approves his request for another $61 billion in aid by the end of the year, Ukraine will run out of money and Russia could win this war.
BIDEN: Putin is banking on the United States failing to deliver for Ukraine. We must -- we must -- we must prove him wrong. It's stunning that we've gotten to this point.
BRUCE: The president pointing the finger squarely at Republicans.
BIDEN: The host of a Kremlin-run show literally said, and I quote, well done, Republicans. That's good for us.
BRUCE: Zelenskyy with this plea.
PRESIDENT VOLODYMYR ZELENSKYY (UKR): In Ukraine, we are fighting for our country and freedom, and also in Europe, we say, "for our freedom and yours."
BRUCE: But Republicans won't approve the new aid package unless the president agrees to tough new immigration restrictions.
SPEAKER MIKE JOHNSON: Our first condition on any national security supplemental spending package is about our own national security first. The border is an absolute catastrophe.
BRUCE: The president says he's willing to compromise, but adding this --
BIDEN: Compromise is how democracy works, and I'm ready and offered compromise already. Holding Ukraine funding hostage in an attempt to force through an extreme Republican partisan agenda on the border is not how it works.
MUIR: But it does appear to be working at least for now. Mary Bruce with us live from the White House. And Mary, as you pointed out, what a difference from a year ago when Zelenskyy was welcomed as a hero, addressing a joint session of congress. Instead, his visit this time, he held meetings, pleading for more help against Russia. Tonight, it would appear, no help before the end of the year, perhaps even longer. The Republicans who are blocking this appear to be digging in here.
BRUCE: David, they are not backing down. And tonight, there is no clear path forward. It is not clear what is going to satisfy Republicans' immigration demands, or where the president is willing to compromise. Biden is warning, they have to get this done before the holiday, but senate Republican leader Mitch Mcconnell says that is practically impossible. David.
MUIR: Mary Bruce, leading us off tonight here. Mary, thank you.
