Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived Wednesday in Washington on his first overseas journey since Russia’s invasion, with US leaders hailing him as “heroic” and pledging to supply new missile protection programs.
Zelensky — whose media savvy and rugged demeanor has helped him rally the world to Ukraine’s trigger — landed in a US army aircraft at Andrews Air Drive Base after a visit organized secretly resulting from safety considerations.
He met President Joe Biden on the White Home, and can ship an tackle to Congress, which is finalizing a brand new $45 billion bundle for Ukraine heading into the brand new yr.
“I am thrilled to have you ever right here,” Biden tweeted shortly earlier than Zelensky’s arrival. Tv footage confirmed the aircraft being met by a big convoy on the runway.
Lawmakers in contrast his journey to Winston Churchill’s Christmas-time look within the Capitol in 1941, days after Japan’s assault on Pearl Harbor introduced america into World Warfare II.
“It’s notably poignant for me to be current when one other heroic chief addresses the Congress in a time of battle — and with democracy itself on the road,” stated Home Speaker Nancy Pelosi, a champion of Ukraine whose invitation to Zelensky will likely be certainly one of her final acts earlier than Republicans take management.
As Zelensky arrived, america introduced one other $1.85 billion from beforehand budgeted funds for Ukraine, together with for the primary time the superior Patriot air protection system, which is able to capturing down cruise missiles and short-range ballistic missiles.
Ukraine fears a rising onslaught of missiles and has confronted a slew of assaults from drones, many purchased by Russia from Iran, as Moscow pummels energy crops and different civilian infrastructure simply because the nation shivers within the winter chilly.
“We’ll proceed to help Ukraine for so long as it takes, in order that Kyiv can proceed to defend itself and be within the strongest attainable place on the negotiating desk when the time comes,” Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated in a press release asserting the help.
Zelensky whereas on his approach to Washington tweeted that he hoped to “strengthen resilience and protection capabilities” of Ukraine.
– Putin additionally vows battle funding –
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated Wednesday that new weapons deliveries would result in an “aggravation of the battle” and don’t “bode properly for Ukraine”.
Talking with senior army officers throughout a televised tackle, President Vladimir Putin contended that Moscow was to not blame for the invasion and agreed with an evaluation that Russia wanted a bigger military.
“The fight capabilities of our armed forces are rising consistently,” Putin stated, including that Russia can even “enhance the fight readiness of our nuclear triad.”
“What is going on is, in fact, a tragedy — our shared tragedy. However it’s not the results of our coverage. It’s the results of the coverage of third nations,” he added.
“We haven’t any limits on funding. The nation and the federal government is giving the whole lot that the military asks for, the whole lot,” Putin stated.
Zelensky’s go to was quietly deliberate, starting with a phone name between Biden and Zelensky on December 11, adopted by a proper invitation every week in the past and affirmation of the go to on Sunday, US officers stated.
The go to will ship Putin “a powerful message of unity and resolve from the White Home, from Washington, from the free world, on behalf of all of the nations supporting Ukraine,” a senior White Home official added.
However that doesn’t embrace pressuring Zelensky into talks with Putin, the official pressured.
– Zelensky on frontlines –
Zelensky flies to america after a dangerous go to to the frontline in Bakhmut, the place each side have endured heavy tolls in fixed capturing and shelling over the previous two months.
Brutal trench warfare and artillery battles round Bakhmut — as soon as identified for its vineyards and salt mines — have flattened massive parts of town and its environment.
“Right here in Donbas, you are defending all of Ukraine,” Zelensky instructed Ukrainian fighters.
“This isn’t simply Bakhmut, that is fortress Bakhmut,” he stated, handing out honors to Ukraine servicemen.
Troopers gave Zelensky a Ukrainian flag with their names signed on it and requested him to current it to Biden and Congress.
Zelensky stated they instructed him: “We now have a troublesome scenario. The enemy is rising their numbers. Our guys are braver, however we want extra weapons.”