Ukraine’s Leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy will meet US pioneer Joe Biden and address Congress in Washington, during an unexpected visit the White House said will send Russia a solid message of Western solidarity.
The trip, which was secretly planned for Wednesday, takes place on the same day that Russian President Vladimir Putin plans to meet with his top military officials to discuss the outcomes of the war against Ukraine thus far and establish goals for the coming year.
Since Russian forces attacked in February, when they planned for a rapid takeover of Kiev and a large portion of the country, it will be Zelenskyy’s first trip outside of Ukraine.
Instead, the trip to Washington comes on the 300th day of the war, which has seen Russian forces defeated by a determined Ukrainian army supported by Western weapons, forced to retreat from captured territory, and battling to avoid further defeats.
In a statement, White House spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre said that the visit will “underscore the United States’ steadfast commitment to supporting Ukraine for as long as it takes.”
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Ukraine receives Patriot missiles
A senior administration official stated that Zelenskyy will pay a visit to the White House, where Biden will make the announcement of a new nearly $2 billion arms package that includes Patriot air defense missiles.
When it comes to protecting Kiev’s infrastructure from Russia’s punishing missile and drone attacks, Patriot missiles are seen as crucial.
Following that, it is anticipated that Zelenskyy will give a speech to a joint session of Congress, which House Speaker Nancy Pelosi stated will have “a very special focus on democracy.”
The visit was carefully planned, beginning with a phone call between Biden and Zelenskyy on December 11, followed by a formal invitation a week later and Sunday’s confirmation of the trip.
On Tuesday afternoon, information about the visit came out, and government officials told the US media that there were still security concerns about Zelensky’s trip.
According to a senior White House official, Biden and Zelenskyy will talk in White House talks about the arms and training provided by the US and allies, sanctions and other pressure on Russia, and the economic and humanitarian aid that Ukraine needs.
According to the official, “they will discuss every aspect of this conflict, including the situation on the battlefield and the question of where the war goes from here.”
The official went on to say that Putin will receive during the trip “a strong message of unity and resolve from the White House, from Washington, from the free world, on behalf of all the nations supporting Ukraine.”
The official emphasized that this does not entail pressuring Zelenskyy into talks with Putin.
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Frontlines visit
After a risky trip to the front lines in Bakhmut, where both sides have lost a lot of people to constant shooting and shelling for the past two months, Zelenskyy takes a flight to the United States.
Bakhmut, which was once known for its vineyards and salt mines, has been flattened by brutal trench warfare and artillery battles around the city.
Zelenskyy stated to Ukrainian fighters, “You’re protecting all of Ukraine here in Donbass.”
He presented Ukraine servicemen with medals and declared, “This is not just Bakhmut; this is fortress Bakhmut.”
According to Zelenskyy, they told him: The situation is difficult because the enemy is increasing in number. Our men are more courageous, but we require more weapons.
Source: AFP
