U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Mike Johnson expressed reluctance towards another funding bill for Ukraine on Thursday following President Donald Trump’s comments branding Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy as a "dictator." Johnson emphasized the need to end the conflict, stating that there was no desire for further funding for Ukraine.
Addressing the Conservative Political Action Conference, Johnson underlined the shared understanding of the urgency to conclude the war with European allies. He acknowledged the prolonged conflict and the necessity to act promptly.
Against a backdrop of uncertainty regarding U.S. support for Kyiv and escalating tensions between Trump and Zelenskiy, Johnson’s remarks indicated a changing sentiment within the U.S. Congress. Previously, $175 billion had been allocated to aid Ukraine during the full-scale invasion, a decision made when Democrats controlled the Senate and the White House.
Now with Republicans in charge of the House, Senate, and White House, Johnson hinted at the need for swift resolution. Stressing the heavy toll on both Russia and Ukraine, he echoed Trump's stance on the urgency of ending the conflict and Trump's role in facilitating peace talks.
Regarding Trump's diplomatic efforts, Johnson believed in providing space for negotiation, dismissing Zelenskiy’s objections to Ukraine’s exclusion from talks in Saudi Arabia. He emphasized the importance of setting conditions for substantive negotiations and supporting Trump's mediation efforts.