Zelenskyy set to directly speak to the American People this hour as a new u. S. Aid package for ukraine does not include everything he wants. In ukraine tonight fire and destruction as russia unleashes new Missile Strikes across the country while president zelenskyy visits the United States. Cnn of course is on the ground in ukraine. And up on capitol hill president zelenskyys meetings with lawmakers underscore deep divisions among republicans over ukraine aid and more, threatening a Government Shutdown and putting Kevin Mccarthys speakership at risk. In the midst of all of this why is mccarthy sending House Members home . Welcome to our viewers here in the United States and around the world. Im wolf blitzer. Youre in the situation room. Announcer this is cnn Breaking News. Lets get right to the Breaking News on the meeting between president s biden and zelenskyy. The white house talks capping a whirlwind day for the ukrainian leader here in washington aimed at shoring up u. S. Support for his country in its fight against russia. Cnns senior White House CorrespondentKayla Tausche is covering zelenskyys visit for us. Kayla, we saw the two president s in the Oval Office Just a little while ago. Tell us more office. They did not answer questions that were shouted from reporters. When zelenskyy arrived on the south lawn of the white house, a reporter did shout, how y said it is very important. But lets take a listen to what the two leaders said while reporters were in the oval office before that meeting. No nation can be truly secure in the world if in fact we dont stand up and defend the freedom of ukraine from the face of this russian brutality and aggression. Thats why we brought together a coalition of more than 50 countries. More than 50 countries. To help ukraine defend itself. And its formalizing our longterm commitment to ukraines security alongside the g7 and with other partners. The brave people of ukraine, and thats not hyperbole. The people of ukraine have shown enormous bravery, enormous bravery. They have inspired the world, literally inspired the world, with their determination to defend these principles. And together with our partners and allies, the American People are determined to see to it that we do all we can to ensure the world stands with you. And that is our overwhelming objective. Our dialogue has proven that our countries really truly are allies and strategic friends. And we greatly appreciate that. The assistance provided by the United States to ukraine to combat russian terror, really terror. Today im in washington to defend ukrainian children, our families, our homes. Expanded b between ukrainian officials and many white house Cabinet Members to talk about what ukraine needs from here. Were also expecting the white house to take the wraps on details of a Security Package that cnn is reporting totals roughly 325 million that includes ammunition, artillery and some Cluster Munitions as well that is expected to help ukraine in the near term and the medium term as it defends itself going into the winter. But the question, wolf, is what happens after that. The white house has requested 24 billion to help ukraine sustain the war between the end of september, which is when the governments funding year ends, and the end of the calendar year. And the white house has already acknowledged that theyve begun conversations with congress about the funding that will be needed on top of that in 2024 as the war continues. There is deep skepticism that remains on capitol hill and dee. Cnns Fred Pleitgen is on the ground in zaporizhzhia. Fred, tell us about these new attacks and their targets. Reporter hi there, wolf. Yeah, it was really just as president Volodymyr Zelenskyy was gearing up for his meetings in washington, d. C. That the russians unleashed that really strong and big Aerial Attack in the Early Morning hours. And the Air Raid Alarms were on for several hours in wide parts of the country. The rugssians not only used Ballistic Missiles for this attack but even ten nuclearcapable strategic bombers. Heres what happened. Vladimir putin unleashing massive Aerial Attacks across ukraine just as ukraines president visits capitol hill and the white house. Firefighters rushing the wounded out of the burning ruins of this hotel in the town cherkasy. The sound i heard was boom, and i saw all the windows were gone in the kitchen and in the bedroom, this woman says. And she adds, at around 6 00 in the morning there was an explosion, a strong one. We came here, saw the windows that shattered in the shop. Kyiv says the russians launched 43 Cruise Missiles in the Early Morning hours. And while ukraines air defenses were able to shoot down most of them, some did come through. Also hitting energy infrastructure. Kyiv saying the power grid here hasnt been attacked on this scale in half a year. The ukrainians certain more strikes will follow as temperatures begin to fall. We can make certain assumptions that the fuel and Energy Sector facilities will be further targeted by the enemy, the air force spokesman says. Zelenskyy urging the u. S. And its allies to provide more modern air Defense Systems but ukraine also fighting back. The Satellite Company planet labs releasing these images after the ukrainians say they struck russian targets in occupied crimea including a military air field. On the front lines the ukrainians say theyre making gains. Cover me, ill get closer to them, this soldier says. This video released by a unit operating on the eastern front. While in the south kyiv says its counteroffensive there is also gaining steam even though the going remains tough. Despite mining and Engineering Equipment as well as strong resistance from the occupiers, our units had a partial success advanced into the depths of the enemys defense and along the front, he says. But the russians may already be gearing up for yet another largescale aerial campaign against ukraines critical infrastructure. So as you can see there, wolf, quite an eventful day here in ukraine today. You know, the past couple of days we have been near the Southern Front line where the main thrust of ukraines counteroffensive is hang. Of course a lot of those western weapons are being used as well. And the soldiers there on the ground tell us of course they do need longerrange weapons as theyve been saying for a while, but also a lot more Artillery Ammo and ammo for himars to try to make more gains, wolf. Fred pleitgen report Free Throw Ground in ukraine. Stay safe over there, fred. Thank you very much. Lets go to capitol hill right now where president zelenskyy met with lawmakers as House Republicans are at odds right now over funding for ukraine. A rebellion by gop hardliners pushing the government toward a potential shutdown within days. All of this happening at the same time and putting the House SpeakerKevin Mccarthy in political peril. Cnns chief Congressional Correspondent manu raju is up on capitol hill for us. Manu, how is Speaker Mccarthy navigating president zelenskyys visit . Reporter he took a much different approach, woclf, than Senate Leaders did. You saw a bipartisan showing behind president zelenskyy in the senate. Mitch mcconnell, the republican leader, walking alongside president zelenskyy along with Senate Majority leader chuck schumer. On the house side much different. Only hakeem jefferies, the democratic leader, seen in public walking with zelenskyy. Mccarthy on the other hand did meet Behind Closed Doors, was pictured with him Behind Closed Doors, but it wasnt until our colleague annie greer got photos of them together that there was public viewing of zelenskyy and mccarthy meeting. Mccarthy made the decision not to allow zelenskyy to give a joint address to congress. He also decided not to have zelenskyy meet with the full House Republican conference Behind Closed Doors or the full house. Much different than the senate, which had a full meeting of the 100 senators Behind Closed Doors with zelenskyy earlier today. And theres still a question about whether Speaker Mccarthy will get behind 24 billion in aid to ukraine that zelenskyy himself made a personal appeal for, saying this is vitally necessary for his country to push back against russian aggression. Mccarthy, on the other hand, said there are still questions he has about one big question, whether hell get behind it. What is victory . What does it take to be able to win . But i believe when were looking at where were going right now zelenskyys answered a lot of questions. Weve got to get our first our fiscal house taken care of here in america. What i was asked for was a joint session. Given like a week before. We dont have the time for a joint session. Reporter and wolf, this could come to a head as soon as next week. If the Senate Moves Forward with a plan to keep the government open that includes that aid to ukraine, still an Open Question what Speaker Mccarthy will do because as you heard right there hes not committing to having a vote on the floor for this aid and certainly not before the government could shut down as soon as next week, wolf. Is Speaker Mccarthy, manu, actually running out of options to avert a Government Shutdown . Reporter at this point, wolf, there are not many options. He could cut a deal with democrats. But if he does that it could open him up to a revolt from the right wing of his conference, warning that he could be out as speaker if he were to do that. And that would be the other option, try to get a bill through the house with republican votes alone. But he has not been able to get enough republican votes to get there, much less get a deal with the senate and get something to the white house. And wolf, he sent House Members home for the weekend because he does not have a deal. He had planned to have a vote on saturday but thats not happening amid these divisions, wolf. Very awkward indeed. Manu raju, thank you very much. And to our viewers be sure to watch Inside Politics with Manu Raju Every Sunday at 11 00 a. M. Eastern. Lets get some more on all of this with a key republican who met with president zelenskyy today, the chairman of the house intelligence committee, congressman mike turner is joining us. Mr. Chairman, thanks so much for joining us. I want you to take us inside thank you for having me. Your meeting with fellow House Laesheaders and president zelenskyy today. Did Speaker Mccarthy explain to president zelenskyy face to face why he wont pass new ukraine aid . Well, the discussion was very warm. And in fact, there was strong support, bipartisan support for military aid to ukraine. There was no discussion of ukraine not getting the aid that tha it needs. In fact, most of the discussion was about what do they need. The problem isnt zelenskyy and it certainly isnt ukraine. Zelenskyy met with us knowing he has wide, strong support from the American Public and also that the last time just within the last two months that there was a bill on the Floor Questioning Support for ukraine over 300 members of the house out of 435 voted in the a affirmative to support that aid. The discussion wasnt about should there be aid. The discussion was what should the aid be. The problem relates really to the Biden Administration. Theyve sent over a package without much description, without an understanding of what the strategy is. Speaker mccarthy has made it very clear hes not going to be for a blank check. And the discussion today was around what does zelenskyy need in order to be able to win. He said certainly longrange missiles, f16s, air support. Those are the types of things that really the Biden Administration has been very slow to provide, saying theyre going to supply but they have not showed up yet as the ukrainian people stand against this russian aggression and continue to fight for democracy in ukraine. But as you know, mr. Chairman, these hardline republicans are the ones blocking the aid package for ukraine right now. They dont want it to be part of some sort of temporary measure to continue the government in operation. Well, certainly were in this unique spot right now where were trying to fund the government and avert a Government Shutdown. Those discussions really are overshadowing everything. But whats unfortunate for this group, their attacks on kevin and really the attacks on Defense Spending are really just to mask the fact that theyre voting with the democrats. In order for them to slow these things down, to stop these things, theyre voting with nancy pelosi instead of Kevin Mccarthy. They should be voting with Kevin Mccarthy and the American Public in moving these bills forward so that we can get to the business of make certain government stays open and that our National Security is protected. What message, mr. Chairman, did the speaker send by rejecting president zelenskyys request to address a Joint Session Of Congress . Was that a mistake . No, absolutely not. He has already addressed a Joint Session Of Congress. He did so this very year. We are currently in the discussions on how to avert a shutdown. The meeting that we had was the top leadership of the house with president zelenskyy. He was very satisfied with that meeting and he certainly had pledges from everyone that they were going to support and get to ukraine the military aid that they need so they can stop this russian aggression. Now that members are going home for the weekend and Speaker Mccarthy is going to try to pass, what, 11 bills in nine days, is a Government Shutdown, do you believe, inevitable . And do you have confidence in the speaker right now to lead your conference through this . Well, Speaker Mccarthys doing an excellent job. People are working together, not only on a bipartisan basis in congress, unlike they have in decades, but also the republican conference is working together. Everyone is work hard and diligently. This is not just a number of people in the Speakers Office who are doing work and then handing it down as if its an ed edict. Whats unfortunate is you have these individuals who currently for their own selfinterest, not really for any particular principle, are voting with nancy pelosi to stop the house moving forward. They need to stop voting with the democrats and vote with Kevin Mccarthy. As they threaten Kevin Mccarthy, they are standing with the democrats. That obstructionist attitude is whats bringing us very close to the brink of Government Shutdown. I think kevins doing a great job and he might be able to bring them to the table in a meaningful way over the next several days so we can get something done. But they really when they go home, they should be having to explain to people why are they voting with nancy pelosi instead of Kevin Mccarthy . So yes or no, mr. Chairman. Will there be a Government Shutdown . I dont have a crystal ball. I can tell you this. If im going to bet on anything ill bet on Speaker Mccarthy to continue to get the work done and hopefully be successful. Lets see. We will find out. Congressman mike turner, thanks so much for joining us. Thank you. Coming up, ill get insight into the state of the Republican Party and the e race for the go nomination from New Hampshires republican governor chris sununu. Stay with us. Youre in the situ