The White House believes that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy made a “very convincing” case to the American public and congressmen when he insisted that his country needs continued US aid, a senior US White House official said, as quoted by CNN.

As the White House prepares for Republicans — some of whom question the future of aid to Ukraine — to take over the House, the official said the consensus is that Volodymyr Zelensky’s speech helped make that happen.

“We believe that he has presented compelling evidence to lawmakers and the American people about the sacrifices that Ukraine has made and continues to make,” said a senior White House official. “We think he was very convincing about why support was so important in the past and how he views that support,” the official added, according to News.ro.

Zelenskyi’s speech could help the White House in the internal political battles that will be fought around the issue of financing Ukraine, but the official assured that Zelenskyi did not ask what to say. The speech “was entirely his,” the official said.

“Energetic and purposeful person”

Zelensky, of course, has gone further than the White House in his calls for more aid, saying — half-jokingly, half-seriously — both at the White House and before Congress that the current level of support is still insufficient. This did not come as a surprise to the White House, which expected Zelensky to “ask for more.” It would be a surprise if he didn’t do it, the official said.

Just as he answered at the press conference, after meeting with Zelensky, Biden told White House representatives how useful it was for him to meet the Ukrainian leader in person.

A senior White House official also said that President Biden “really enjoyed the time he spent with Zelenskyi,” and that the Ukrainian leader impressed him as an “energetic” and dedicated person.

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