Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived on the White Home on Wednesday, the primary leg of a short, high-stakes go to to Washington that marks his first exit from his nation because the Russian invasion greater than 300 days in the past.
President Joe Biden and his spouse Jill greeted Zelenskyy shortly after the Ukrainian chief landed in Washington on a US Air Pressure airplane. Zelensky was wearing his standard navy inexperienced cargo pants and a sweatshirt with Ukraine’s coat of arms, which is formed like a trident.
The 2 presidents embraced earlier than heading to the White Home. Shortly earlier than his arrival, the Biden administration announcement $1.85 billion in deadly new support for Ukraine, together with the coveted advance Patriott missile protection system.
Later within the day, Zelensky is because of deal with a joint session of Congress earlier than returning to Ukraine. He’s anticipated to make his case to Congress for sustaining US assist and for the West to step up arms shipments.
“I’m in Washington as we speak to thank the American folks, the President and Congress for his or her a lot wanted assist,” he wrote on his Telegram channel. “And in addition to proceed cooperation to convey our victory nearer.”
ZelenskyThe go to comes at a important time in The Russian invasion of Ukraine. Officers in Kyiv have warned that Moscow is getting ready for a potential winter offensive as Ukraine fends off Russian assaults on two fronts: the east and the south, the place fierce combating between the navy is underway; and within the sky, the place Moscow demolished Ukraine’s important vitality infrastructure.
He flew to america through Poland on a US Air Pressure C-40B and landed at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland.
The Biden administration desires the go to to point out US assist for Ukraine because the nation heads into a troublesome winter.
Western weaponry will probably be important for Ukraine. Kyiv has lengthy sought the Patriot system, which analysts say will probably be a strong addition to the nation’s air defenses, though it will not supply fast respite from large Russian missile and drone assaults destroying electrical infrastructure. from Ukraine.
Along with the Patriot system, america may even for the primary time switch Joint Direct Assault Munitions, which convert unguided aerial munitions into “sensible bombs,” permitting Ukrainian forces to extra precisely goal Russian navy positions.
The US will prepare Ukrainian troops on the Patriot system, probably in Germany, for weeks earlier than it arrives in Ukraine. It’s anticipated to take a while earlier than the system is operational on the battlefield.
The US has dedicated tens of billions of {dollars} in navy, financial and humanitarian support to Ukraine since Russia invaded Ukraine in February.
Congress is predicted to vote this week on a spending invoice that features $45 billion in extra funding for Kyiv. The Biden administration has pledged to proceed supporting Ukraine as officers brace for a battle that would stretch into subsequent yr and past.
Nevertheless, Republican leaders within the Home of Representatives have urged that passing extra support for Kyiv will probably be harder subsequent yr after they take management of the decrease home of Congress.
The Biden administration, Ukrainian officers and different Western allies have been having low-key conversations about what a diplomatic answer would possibly appear to be, although US officers stress the timing shouldn’t be proper.
“Biden shouldn’t be going to stress or push Zelenskyy to the negotiating desk, however somewhat, he’s going to work with Congress and with our allies to place Ukraine in the absolute best place on the battlefield in order that when the time comes , they’re in the absolute best place on the negotiating desk,” a senior administration official stated forward of Zelenskyy’s go to.
The Kremlin stated on Wednesday it anticipated no optimistic developments or modifications in Kyiv’s stance on the peace talks after Zelenskyy’s go to to Washington.
“The availability of weapons to Ukraine continues and their vary is increasing. This results in the escalation of the battle and doesn’t bode effectively for Ukraine,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated.
Further reporting by Anastasia Stognei in Riga and Christopher Miller