Is President Zeleskiy's stardom fading? The recent visit to the USA indicates potentially alarming consequences for Ukraine

President Zeleskiy`s visit to the USA lacked that glory that used to have almost two years ago when he visited the USA.

When President Zelenskiy visited the USA in December 2022, he was greeted by crowds of people, ovations, and admiration. He left with nearly $ 50 billion in military and financial aid to withstand the Russian aggression.

His reception this Thursday was quite modest and even caused a string of scandals.

According to journalists, Zelenskiy is a convicting defender of Ukraine who is capable of dealing with Congress's delays to provide Ukraine with the necessary help. But with the extent to which the war is getting protracted, it looks like Zelenskiy is losing his star power in Washington.

For now, Ukraine can be confident until the available military help runs out, then Ukraine would need to rely on the desire of Congress to continue to replenish its war chest.

On Thursday, September 26 Zelenskiy held two meetings in Capitol. First, he met a group of approximately 20 senators. Chuck Schumer - a Democrat from New -York, the leader of the majority, and Mitch McConnell - the Republican from Kentucky, the leader of the minority were among them. Afterward, He met with a bipartisan group of about a dozen House members, including House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries.

Zelenskyy delivered a speech at the UN General Assembly on September 25, but was unable to visit Capitol Hill as both houses of Congress had adjourned for the campaign trail. Consequently, events featuring the Ukrainian president saw lower attendance.

Congressional leaders showed little effort in highlighting his visit. Neither Schumer nor McConnell made media statements, in person or via email, as they had during previous visits by Zelenskyy, and Jeffries also remained silent.

Many Republicans were discontent with Zelenskiy

Almost every deputy who was present at the meetings previously and repeatedly voted for strong support for military aid to Ukraine.

"I think he's an admirable person. He's obviously shown a lot of courage and leadership in very, very difficult times," Sen. John Cornyn, Republican from Texas, said of Zelensky.

However, Zelenskyi's visit was met with almost anger because of what some Republicans said was a display of the Ukrainian government's favor with the Democrats and the Biden administration during the election season.

On Wednesday, Speaker Mike Johnson, Republican from Louisiana, demanded that Zelensky recall Ukrainian Ambassador Oksana Markarova for arranging a trip to a munitions plant in Scranton, Pennsylvania.

Johnson also referred to Zelensky's comments made by The New Yorker in which he called Sen. Jay D. Vance, the Republican vice presidential nominee, "too radical."

"Support for an end to Russia's war against Ukraine continues to be bipartisan, but our relationship ... is needlessly tarnished when the front-runners in the Republican presidential race are targeted in the media," Johnson wrote.

These episodes have disappointed some of Zelenskyi's supporters among Republicans, who have expressed concern that the Ukrainian president has influenced American politics.

Possible consequences

This dispute is a reminder of challenges Zeleskiy might face in case if Republicans take control of Congress and if the ex-President Trump, who actively opposed the armament of Ukraine gets reflected.

During the meetings, Zelensky carefully avoided appealing to legislators for any additional assistance.

Asked by journalists whether he would be able to end the war with Russia, he answered in the affirmative: "Of course. We must."