Ukrainian President Volodymir Zelenskyy will visit the White House and speak before a joint session of Congress on Wednesday, his first known trip outside his country since Russia invaded in February.
Zelenskyy landed outside Washington just after noon on Wednesday, immediately traveling into the city to wait near the White House for his meeting with President Biden
“I am in Washington today to thank the American people, the President and the Congress for their much-needed support,” Zelenskyy wrote in a Telegram post. “And also to continue cooperation to bring our victory closer.
“I will hold a series of negotiations to strengthen the resilience and defense capabilities of Ukraine,” he continued. “In particular, we will discuss bilateral cooperation between Ukraine and the United States of America with US President Joseph Biden. Next year, we must return the Ukrainian flag and freedom to our entire land, to all our people.”
“I’m thrilled to have you here,” Biden wrote on Twitter Wednesday morning ahead of Zelenskyy’s arrival. “Much to discuss.”
Biden will welcome Zelenskyy to the White House Wednesday afternoon and hold a bilateral meeting with the Ukrainian leader before the two heads of state speak at a joint press conference. Later Wednesday, Zelenskyy will address a joint session of Congress.
Ahead of Zelenskyy’s visit, the U.S. announced a new $1.85 billion military aid package for Ukraine including a Patriot air defense battery, the first to go to Ukraine.
The missile system is intended to fight a single aircraft target with a single missile. The package also includes precision-guided bombs for fighter jets.
U.S. forces will train Ukrainian forces on how to operate the Patriot system in a third allied country, then take their knowledge back to Ukraine for operation, a senior administration official said. The U.S. will also continue to provide other forms of anti-air support, anti-armor weaponry, and counter-aerial surveillance equipment. But the U.S. will continue to keep its forces out of Ukraine.
Zelenskyy’s arrival in Washington coincided with the 300th day since Russia began its attack on Ukraine — a fight that has dragged out as Ukrainian forces have put up stronger-than-expected resistance against the Russians. Their stand has been bolstered by support from more than 50 countries, and the United States most significantly. Thus far, Congress has approved a total of $66 billion in aid supporting Ukraine, along with an additional commitment of $19.7 billion in security assistance, according to the Department of Defense.
The White House also anticipates the swift passage of about $45 billion in funding for Ukraine as part of a larger full-year government spending bill, which both chambers are expected to vote on by the end of this week.
“This will be a day to remember in the United States Congress,” said Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., on Wednesday, a sentiment he shared with his GOP counterpart.
“I look forward to welcoming President Zelenskyy to the Capitol and to hearing from the Ukrainian people’s elected leader at a critical moment in their struggle about their safety and their sovereignty against Russia’s unhedged aggression,” Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnel, R-Ky., said in remarks of his own on the Senate floor Wednesday.
“The people of Ukraine have reminded the entire free world about the meaning of sovereignty, and the price of freedom. They fought back against the invaders with inspiring bravery.”
McConnell added that the support to Ukraine has been bipartisan because it ultimately helps the U.S.: “America is directly demonstrating our commitment to the basic principles of territorial integrity and national sovereignty,” he said.
Biden on Wednesday will “reinforce the fundamental message” to Zelenskyy, to Ukraine and to Americans, that the U.S. “will stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes,” the administration official said.
Whether or not Biden can fulfill that promise may be up in the air — the president will face the challenge of a Republican-controlled House, with GOP members who have shown resistance to continuing support for Ukraine. House GOP leader Kevin McCarthy told reporters in October that, should they win the majority, Republicans would not provide a “free blank check” to Ukraine.
But while Congress is still in Democrats’ hands, they presented a unified front in welcoming Zelenskyy.
“In the face of Putin’s horrific atrocities, Ukrainian freedom fighters have inspired the world with an iron will and an unbreakable spirit — fighting back against Russia’s brutal, unjustified invasion,” House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., wrote in a letter to Zelenskyy inviting him to the capitol.
“During this dark moment, your courageous, patriotic, indefatigable leadership has rallied not only your people, but the world, to join the frontlines of the fight for freedom.”
For Pelosi, the moment is a personal one: Her father, Thomas D’Alesandro, Jr., was a Congressman from Maryland in 1941 when then-U.K. Prime Minister Winston Churchill addressed Congress just weeks after the attack on Pearl Harbor and the U.S. entered World War II.
“Eighty-one years later this week, it is particularly poignant for me to be present when another heroic leader addresses the Congress in a time of war – and with Democracy itself on the line,” Pelosi wrote in a letter to colleagues.
The White House formally invited Zelenskyy to Washington on Dec. 14, the official said. His trip is expected to be a one-day, whirlwind journey that will see him traveling to and from Washington within the same day, according to the official.
Zelenskyy is not taking the trip to Washington without some measure of risk, even with security parameters set up by the United States. But, the official said, Zelenskyy feels that the visit will ultimately aid Ukraine in its fight against Russia, and that the visit will project a “strong message of unity and resolve.”
