Zelensky flies to Washington for meet Biden. It is his first trip abroad since the beginning of the war following the Russian invasion on February 24th. “I am on my way to the United States to strengthen Ukraine's resistance and defense capabilities,” Zelensky wrote on Twitter. The Ukrainian president will meet with President Joe Biden at 14:30 pm in the Oval Office at the White House, followed by a joint press conference at 16:30 pm Eastern time. In Italy it will be 22.30 pm.
In addition, Zelensky's visit to Washington includes his speech to Congress in joint chambers and several bilateral meetings. Then the Ukrainian president "will return, after just a few hours on land, to his people in Ukraine".
The visit was, unsurprisingly, kept secret and official confirmation arrived only a few hours before departure.
The United States has been the most important ally of Ukraine during the war, committing $50 billion in humanitarian, financial and security assistance – far more than any other country.
La Russia he said the visit would lead to an "aggravation of the conflict". “This does not bode well for Ukraine,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said. In addition, the Kremlin today said Russian President Vladimir Putin would set Russia's military goals for 2023 in a "major and voluminous speech."
Zelensky-Biden meeting: new aid package for Ukraine
In briefing ahead of Zelensky's visit, the White House confirmed a new package of nearly $2 billion ($1,8 billion) in security assistance for Ukraine. This includes a new battery Patriot missiles, a sophisticated air defense system that will help Kiev protect its cities from the missiles and drones Russia has launched against critical facilities and which have left millions without electricity and heat, as temperatures across the country have dropped below the zero.
In his speech to Congress, the Ukrainian leader will likely use infrastructure attacks to demand more weaponry. However, the Ukrainian president is unlikely to receive the longer-range weapons he has requested to strike Russian targets far from the front lines. There he will find some Republicans who have voiced criticism of the level of US support, as Congress is considering approving an additional $50 billion in aid.
The monthly cost of defense for Ukraine would amount to about 5 billion dollars, according to CNN.
Zelensky's visit to Ukrainian forces
Zelensky also visited the warring Ukrainian forces before his departure for Washington. The visit was a significant show of support for the Ukrainian frontline forces. The soldiers handed Zelensky a Ukrainian flag with their names signed and asked him to deliver it to President Biden and the United States Congress, a moment also captured by television cameras.
Zelensky promised to take back all occupied territories, including areas invaded before February. Before the visit, in his traditional evening speech, he declared that Ukraine will do "everything possible and the impossible, the expected and the unexpected" to obtain "the results that all Ukrainians expect".
