Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is in Washington to lobby President Joe

Biden and Congress for more funding to support the ongoing war against invading
Russian forces.
The US is the largest military donor to Ukraine, having spent over
$46bn (£37bn) so far, plus tens of billions more in financial and
humanitarian aid.
But continued support is far from assured, with many Republicans
sceptical.
We asked our panel of US voters for their perspective.

Before the war, Virginia Seward hosted two orphans from Ukraine and 20 years ago
adopted her and her husband's daughter from Russia. She was a Bernie Sanders
supporter and describes herself as progressive.
Helping Ukraine is in the interest of every country when someone
is acting as Putin is. It's imperative. I believe we should support
Ukraine until they have won the war.
If we made all the corporations and the billionaires pay the taxes
they owe, imagine what could we do to help Ukraine and also
provide much-needed services at home? We've wasted money and
hurt so many other countries before, why can't we do some good
for this one?

Jim describes himself as a dedicated Republican. Foreign affairs and immigration are
among his top concerns.
My stance had always been that Russian aggression needs to be
repelled and that the fight in Ukraine has been a just fight for
freedom and democracy with big ramifications beyond Ukraine. It
had to be fought and must be fought by the Ukrainian people with
our economic and hardware help.
But no more. It's time to wind down our involvement in Ukraine
and increase or at least match our level of investment in domestic
needs with what we have done in Ukraine.
Maui and East Palestine, Ohio were treated like poor relations after
disasters, yet the money flows nicely to Ukraine. No troubles
there. It's past time to focus on the US. All hands on deck for this
country.

With parents from Denmark, Alex is first-generation American - helping Ukraine is a

top issue for him. For most of his life he was a Republican, but has shifted away from
the party since the US Capitol riot.
I think the aid that we are providing is very important for the
people in Ukraine and the surrounding areas. As long as
Ukrainians have a spirit to fight, we should continue to support.
Also, I think it's very important for our own country. The lessons
that Ukrainians are learning on the battlefield are going to save
our soldiers' lives in the next conflict. America has not fought a
war like Ukraine is currently fighting since 1945. The fact that we
cannot manufacture enough artillery shells and ammunition
supplies to even support half of what Ukraine is consuming shows
that there is a major blind spot in our defence industry.
My personal belief is that we would already be in a recession in
the United States if it were not for the war in Ukraine - money
spent on military equipment benefits everyone here. We should
continue to supply them with whatever they need, but I do strongly
feel that that should be done in terms of tanks, planes, and
artillery instead of just giving them a big cheque.

Born and raised in Chicago, Lucas votes consistently for the Democrats, but is not all
that pleased with the party.
This aid is unequivocally a good thing. Some might say that our aid
simply goes to further warfare and suffering - it's quite the
opposite. What we are doing is helping a country who was unfairly
aggressed upon get back on its feet and stand up against its
attacker. We have greater means to help than any other country on
Earth. It's our duty to take a stand for Ukrainians, who have been
unfairly attacked.
I would say it is not enough aid. Russia is not afraid to burn down
the house that both they and Ukraine live in as long as they get to
realize their imperial ambitions. Our aid needs to be massive
enough to break their stalemate.
Aid should continue until Russia understands that this behaviour is
not OK. Ukraine is not Russian property.

Crystal has been vocal about her support for Donald Trump over the years and echoes
Mr Trump's sentiments to put "America first".
I can't support more aid to Ukraine. The US has already given
many billions. I feel that more money will not serve the interests of
the American people.
It's time to take care of America now, as we have a border
problem that has caused a humanitarian crisis. There are over
70,000 homeless people in Los Angeles and other states are being
affected by homeless problems, too. Inflation with food and gas
prices are another issue that doesn't seem to be getting better. I
also think that [the government] should be more transparent with
where this money to Ukraine is going.

Joshua is a Mexican/Israeli-American who is a left-leaning independent. He grew up

around conservatives and appreciates conversations across the aisle. Foreign policy is a
top issue for him.
The United States has done an incredible job of leading funding,
and supporting the Ukrainian army from the beginning of the war,
and picked up the slack where other European countries, like
Germany, fell short at the beginning. Now that European countries
are increasing the amount of funding and support to Ukraine, the
US should be looking at more of a long-term solution to funding
Ukraine.
I think we should keep supporting Ukraine till the end of this war,
but American taxpayers deserve an evaluation and an
understanding of where and how their money is being used. The
Biden administration needs to do a better job communicating why
we are giving so much money to the Ukrainian army and provide a
long-term roadmap to how the money will keep Americans safe.

Laura is semi-retired and lives in a heavily Republican area. She is concerned about
threats to democracy.
Ukraine has been an independent country for 30 years. Putin's
brutality has made Russia an international pariah. I'm horrified by
every aspect of this invasion. When this war is over, as it will be
someday, Ukraine will be a wasteland regardless of who wins.
Rebuilding will take decades and require more money than has
been spent so far.
I am glad that we have financially and materially supported
Ukraine but I am concerned how much longer support will last. We
should focus on getting material aid to Ukraine faster. I would like
to say that support will go on as long as it is needed, but money
and equipment are not bottomless and the American people in
general have a short attention span.