Topline
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky landed in the U.S. on Wednesday and is planning to meet with President Joe Biden and members of Congress, in his first trip out of Ukraine since Russia invaded the country 10 months ago.
President Joe Biden welcomes Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to the White House.
Key Facts
Zelensky landed at Joint Base Andrews in Prince George’s County, Maryland, just after noon on Wednesday, arriving on a U.S. military plane from Poland, where he had traveled by train from Ukraine, multiple outlets reported.
After reports of a secret visit emerged, Zelensky confirmed the trip in a tweet on Wednesday, saying he’s traveling to the U.S. “to strengthen resilience and defense capabilities of [Ukraine]
.”
While in Washington, Zelensky will meet with Biden to “discuss cooperation” between the two countries, and he will deliver a speech to Congress.
President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden with Zelensky on his first known trip outside of … [+]
US President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden welcome Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky on … [+]
Zelensky and Biden met each other on the South Lawn of the White House on Wednesday.
Zelensky arrives at Joint Base Andrews on a U.S. plane.
US President Joe Biden walks with Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky through the colonnade of … [+]
Zelensky presents Biden a gift as they meet in the Oval Office of the White House.
President Joe Biden, right, and first lady Jill Biden, left, welcome Ukraine’s President Volodymyr … [+]
What To Watch For
Zelensky is slated to meet with Biden in an “extended sit-down” at 2 p.m. and address Congress in a joint meeting at 7:30 p.m. Zelensky will only be in Washington for a few hours before he returns to Ukraine, according to White House officials.
Key Background
In a press call Tuesday night, White House officials said the visit will “underscore the United States’ enduring commitment to Ukraine”—the U.S. has provided roughly $68 billion in military and humanitarian aid to the eastern European country since the war began. The visit comes as Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced an additional $1.85 billion security assistance package for Ukraine, including an advanced Patriot air defense missile battery—a key defense system that Ukraine has requested in its defense of an onslaught of Russian aerial attacks—as well as funding for SpaceX’s Starlink satellite internet service. Ukraine has relied heavily on U.S. support as Russia continues its invasion, targeting Ukrainian energy systems, infrastructure and residential areas. On top of the funding Congress has already approved, Congress is also considering including $45 billion in additional emergency funding for Ukraine in its year-end omnibus bill—$8 billion more than the $37 billion Biden asked Congress to provide last month.
Further Reading
Zelensky Heads To Washington—He’ll Meet Biden And Address Congress In Surprise Visit (Forbes)
Zelensky arrives in US to start dramatic meeting with Biden before speech to Congress (CNN)
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/brianbushard/2022/12/21/in-photos-zelensky-meets-with-biden-in-dc-ahead-of-historic-speech-to-congress/