Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy heads to Washington to meet with President Joe Biden and speak before the US Congress on Wednesday in his first documented foreign trip since the start of the Russia-Ukraine war.
On his Twitter page, the Ukrainian leader said that the purpose of the Zelensky US visit was to "strengthen the resilience and defense capabilities" of Ukraine and meet with Biden to explore bilateral collaboration, AP News reported.
After 10 months of a violent Russia-Ukraine war, during which tens of thousands have been killed and injured on both sides and citizens in Ukraine have been devastated, a very delicate journey is taking place.
Furthermore, it happens as Congress prepares to vote on a year-end budget plan of roughly $45 billion in emergency military aid for Ukraine and as the Pentagon gets ready to deploy Patriot surface-to-air missiles to boost Ukraine's defense against Russian attacks.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy traveled to the city of Bakhmut in Ukraine's disputable Donetsk region on Tuesday, which he described as the "hottest place" on the 1,300-kilometer (800-mile) front line of the war. As guns roared, he lauded Ukrainian forces' courage, resilience, and strength. President Zelenskyy then left for overseas amid the Russia-Ukraine war.
White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre released a statement on Tuesday night saying that President Joe Biden is looking forward to Zelensky's US visit and that his speech to Congress would reflect "the strong, bipartisan support for Ukraine."
Zelensky's US Visit Schedule
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was supposed to have an afternoon meeting with US President Joe Biden at the White House before joining the POTUS in the East Room for a press conference. In the evening, Ukraine's head of state is scheduled to address Congress.
US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-California) extended an invitation to Volodymyr Zelensky to address a session of Congress in the United States Capitol, in which she noted that Ukraine's battle is a "fight for democracy itself" and that American legislators are looking forward to listening to the Ukrainian leader's remarks.
House Speaker Pelosi also addressed a letter to her colleagues on Tuesday, requesting their "physical presence" on Wednesday night, but did not mention Zelensky's US visit. The letter caused politicians to rush.
President Joe Biden has considered putting together a Western alliance backing Ukraine a primary objective of his administration.
Even though energy costs have increased this winter due to the conflict, the coalition nations have shown no indications of abandoning or decreasing their support.
Russia-Ukraine War Rages On
Volodymyr Zelensky has spent most of the year pleading to countries for help and has become the worldwide symbol of Ukrainian resistance throughout the 10-month Russia-Ukraine war.
The incoming Republican majority in the House of Representatives in the United States has made clear that it will not rush to approve large new aid packages for Ukraine, according to a report from The Washington Post.
The Ukrainian military has shown remarkable fortitude in the face of a poorly equipped and unprepared Russian force, retaking many strategic towns.
However, Russian President Vladimir Putin has continued to attack the civilian electric grid, worsening Ukraine's frigid winter.
Zelensky looked ready to make a bold move, like leaving Ukraine for the first time since the invasion. Even while the fighting drags on, Biden sees the Zelensky US visit as a chance to reaffirm his support for Ukraine.
The senior administration source, who spoke on the condition of anonymity under White House regulations, noted that Zelensky's US visit would give President Joe Biden a chance to underscore that US support for Ukraine will continue "for as long as it takes," as per a CNN report.
