Ukraine’s Zelensky traveling to the US to meet Biden

Lviv, Ukraine, Dec 21 (EFE).- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed Wednesday that he is traveling to the United States to meet with US President Joe Biden and make an address before the Congress.

“On my way to the US to strengthen resilience and defense capabilities of Ukraine,” Zelensky tweeted, adding that he would meet with his US counterpart.

“In particular, U.S. President Joe Biden and I will discuss cooperation between Ukraine and the United States. I will also have a speech at the Congress and a number of bilateral meetings,” he said.

This is the first foreign visit by the Ukrainian leader since his country was invaded on Feb.24, a conflict that has been underway for more than 300 days.

The White House had previously announced Zelensky’s visit and the Ukrainian leader’s intervention in a joint session of the two houses of the Congress.

“President Biden looks forward to welcoming President Zelenskyy (…) (on) December 21, at the White House, after which President Zelenskyy will address a joint session of Congress, demonstrating the strong, bipartisan support for Ukraine,” said White House spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre.

She added that during the visit, Biden will announce “a significant new package of security assistance to help Ukraine defend itself against Russian aggression.”

A senior official in Washington told reporters that Zelensky would be in Washington only for a few hours, during which Biden is expected to announce a fresh $2 billion military aid, including the Patriot missiles much sought by Kyiv.

The US is Ukraine’s main ally in the ongoing conflict with Russia, and in recent months has approved several economic and military aid packages to help Kyiv. EFE

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