Zelensky says he thanked Mike Johnson in private call as pressure mounts on Republican leader

The Republican Speaker of the House spoke privately with Ukraine’s president on Thursdayas the issue divides the GOP caucus and threatens tothrow the lower chamber into chaos once more.

Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelensky, related the conversation on Twitter and thanked Speaker Mike Johnson for his and the US’s “critical support of Ukraine since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion”. He also described briefing the Speaker on an uptick in Russian missile, bombing and drone attacks in the weeks since funding for Ukraine’s defence has stalled in Congress.

“Last week alone, 190 missiles, 140 «Shahed» drones, and 700 guided aerial bombs were launched at Ukrainian cities and communities. Ukraine's largest hydroelectric power plant has gone offline,” said Mr Zelensky. “In this situation, quick passage of US aid to Ukraine by Congress is vital. We recognize that there are differing views in the House of Representatives on how to proceed, but the key is to keep the issue of aid to Ukraine as a unifying factor.”

International experts believe that Russia is seeking to wear down Ukraine’s military and inflict as many casualties as possible while US assistance lags. Specifically, many recent Russian offensives indicate a goal to “deplete Ukraine’s inventory of ground-based air defense,” according to a military assessment published by the International Institute for Strategic Studies.

The Ukrainian president’s tweet is the first news of his conversation with the GOP leader credited as the main reason an aid package has not reached President Joe Biden’s desk. Mr Johnson has yet to issue a public statement about the call;The Independent has contacted his office for comment.

The Senate passed the package on bipartisan lines