Senator Chuck Schumer, the majority leader, is visiting Ukraine on Friday to express U.S. solidarity with Ukraine and put pressure on the Republican party to stop resisting additional U.S. aid. This visit comes at a crucial time as a foreign assistance package containing over $60 billion in military aid for Kyiv is stuck in Congress due to Republican opposition.

This trip signifies a victory for Mr. Schumer, the New York Democrat, who successfully navigated the aid bill through the Senate with bipartisan support. However, the legislation is now facing obstacles in the House, with Republican Speaker Mike Johnson rejecting appeals to bring it to the floor.

During the visit, Mr. Schumer plans to meet with President Volodymyr Zelensky and Ukraine’s new military commander, Oleksandr Syrsky. His goal is to demonstrate how delays in providing aid have hindered Ukraine’s efforts on the battlefield. He aims to appeal to House Republicans to take action before it’s too late.

Mr. Schumer stressed the urgency of the situation, citing evidence that Ukraine, for the first time, is facing setbacks in the war. He pointed to ammunition shortages as a key reason for Ukraine’s challenges and expressed confidence that the country could win the war if provided with the necessary resources.

Nevertheless, there are doubts about whether his message will resonate in Washington, despite ongoing Russian attacks on Ukrainian cities. The Ukrainian Air Force reported shooting down 23 of 31 Russian drones, and civilians in Odesa were found dead under the rubble of a building damaged by the drones.

Mr. Schumer emphasized that his primary audience for this trip is Republican lawmakers who have expressed support for Ukraine but voted against providing additional military assistance. Opposition to aiding Ukraine has grown within the Republican party in recent years, partially driven by former President Donald J. Trump’s “America First” stance. Some Republicans argue that the U.S. should not support Ukraine unless it secure its own border with Mexico.

Mr. Schumer acknowledged the challenge of convincing Republicans, especially in the House, to support the aid bill. Despite bipartisan support from Senator Mitch McConnell and other Republican lawmakers, the Speaker of the House is facing pressure from far-right Republicans to block the aid.

The visit to Ukraine is part of Senator Schumer’s efforts to build an international profile following his appointment as the majority leader. He stated that his discussions with foreign leaders in Munich regarding Ukraine’s situation were crucial for showing Europe that the U.S. continues to stand in solidarity with them.

Despite current barriers, Mr. Schumer indicated that he and the White House are exploring alternative means to bypass House Republican resistance if their efforts to persuade Mr. Johnson and others fail to allow a vote on the aid bill.

In conclusion, Senator Chuck Schumer’s visit to Ukraine is a testament to the ongoing diplomatic efforts to support Ukraine and underscores the challenges in garnering bipartisan support for foreign aid, underscoring the importance of global events beyond immediate political considerations.