The Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky, who is already in Washington, he will meet with Joe Biden and address Congress in an effort to garner the most support for his country and send a message to its Russian invaders.
Zelensky said on his Twitter account that the visit, his first known trip outside Ukraine since the start of the war in February, is aimed at “strengthening Ukraine’s resilience and defense capabilities” and discussing cooperation with the United States States.
While the first one-on-one Biden-Zelensky talks since 2021 are expected to focus on further US military and economic support, as well as sanctions on Russia, top US official John Kirby said the two men would also discuss how to end the war. Biden invited Zelensky to Washington because the Russia war had entered in “new phase” the American official said.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy published the first photos of his visit to the United States
“Today I’m in Washington to thank the American people, President and Congress for their support. […] Next year we must return the Ukrainian flag and freedom to all our land and people,” he wrote. pic.twitter.com/zsVHaAZdWm
— NEXTA (@nexta_tv) December 21, 2022
Extremely critical trip
The highly critical trip by the Ukrainian president comes after 10 months of a brutal war with tens of thousands of casualties on both sides, and great damage to Ukrainian civilians. The US will announce its largest delivery of weapons systems to Ukraine, including the Patriot surface-to-air array, and Congress plans to pass a spending package that includes about 45 billion dollars in emergency aid to Ukraine.
White House press secretary Karin Jean-Pierre said in a statement that the visit “will underscore the unwavering commitment of the United States to support Ukraine for as long as necessary, including through the provision of economic, humanitarian and military aid”.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, in her invitation to Zelensky to address US lawmakers, said that “the fight for Ukraine is the fight for democracy itself” and that Americans are waiting “to hear your inspiring message of unity, endurance and determination”.
US and Ukrainian officials have made clear they see no resolution to the war imminent, and are bracing for continued fighting for “the foreseeable future”. The latest US “stimulus injection” to Kyiv is the largest yet – surpassing Biden’s previous request for $37 billion in aid in November.
Biden has made it clear that the US will arm and train the Ukrainians, but US forces will not be directly involved in the war.
I hope you’re having a good flight, Volodymyr. I’m thrilled to have you here. Much to discuss. https://t.co/SsRdsAnSDb
— President Biden (@POTUS) December 21, 2022
The Patriot – Wrath of Moscow changes the facts
During Zelenskiy’s visit, the US president will announce a $2 billion package of new security aid, including Patriot missiles.
Biden and Zelenskiy first discussed the idea of a visit during their Dec. 11 phone call, with a formal invitation following three days later, according to a senior US administration official. Zelensky accepted the invitation on Friday and the trip was confirmed on Sunday, so the White House began coordinating with Pelosi, in California, to arrange the speech to Congress.
The military aid package of 1.8 billion dollars it will include, for the first time, an array of the Patriot anti-missile system and precision guided weapons for its fighter jets, as US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken officially stated.
This development gives Kyiv new, more advanced weapons that are meant to strengthen significantly the air defense of Ukraine against the increasing Russian missile barrage on energy infrastructure.
Moscow has threatened that the delivery of the advanced surface-to-air missile system will be seen as a provocative step and that the system and its crews will constitute “legitimate aim” for the Moscow army.
It is not clear when the Patriot array will reach the Ukrainian frontline, since the US will have to train Ukrainian forces. The training can last several weeks and is expected to take place in Germany.
The visit comes at an important time, with the White House bracing for greater resistance to aid packages in Kyiv when Republicans take control of the House in January. Pelosi’s successor as speaker of the House of Representatives, Republican Kevin McCarthy, said his party did not intend to give a “blank check” for aid to Ukraine, and aid packages would be put under scrutiny.
The Biden-Zelensky relationship is good, but not always
Biden and Zelensky have spoken frequently by phone, with Biden praising Ukraine for standing firm against the Russians and Zelensky thanking the US president for his support.
The only exception to this “warm climate” occurred in June, shortly after Biden informed Zelensky that an additional $1 billion package was headed to Ukraine. Zelensky was quick to call for additional aid for Ukraine.
This angered Biden, who emphasized to Zelensky the generosity of the American people. But the brief moment of tension between the two men did not damage their relationship, according to officials with knowledge of the incident, who spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity.
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