WASHINGTON — President Volodymyr Zelensky Ukraine and President Biden The White House, Wednesday and Officials from the White House announced Tuesday night that he would deliver a keynote address at a joint session Congress. This daring overseas trip was intended to renew American support for America’s country.
“Three hundred days ago, Russia launched a brutal assault against Ukraine,” Karine Jean-Pierre is the White House Press Secretary. in A statement attesting to Mr. Zelensky’s trip to Washington. “The visit will underscore the United States’ steadfast commitment to supporting Ukraine for as long as it takes, including through the provision of economic, humanitarian and military assistance.”
Top administration officials spoke anonymously due to concerns over Mr. Zelensky’s safety, said the risks involved in such a visit — with the wartime leader leaving his country for the first time since Russia invaded Ukraine in February — were high, and He had to be kept secretly informed about his plans.
Mr. Zelensky We will be there in The United States took almost 10 months to respond after Russian President Vladimir V. Putin sent troops into Ukraine and The Congress is considering approving almost $50 billion in aid to help Ukraine’s forces battle Russia next year. This would increase America’s total aid by more than $100 Billion.
“He’s a national and global hero — I’m delighted to be able to hear from him,” After hearing from Mr. Zelensky’s visit.
The Ukrainian president’s trip comes as Russia’s assault heads into a second, brutal year. Russia’s hopes for a quick defeat of Ukraine failed, but have given way to a series of grinding and Destructions on civils have caused major cities to be without heat and electricity due to terrorist attacks in the bitter cold of Ukraine’s winter.
His meeting with Mr. Biden At the White House Mr. Zelensky Accepting the most recent American military aid pledge is set. A highly advanced Patriot missile battery was announced by senior Administration officials as providing Ukraine with better protections from Russian-launched missile attacks. and drones. The missile battery will be part of a nearly $2 billion package of security assistance that will also include other support for Ukraine’s air defenses.
White House officials said the announcement of the new security package by the American president — with Mr. Zelensky by his side — was meant to send a powerful message to Mr. Putin and People and other leaders around the world in Ukraine and America is the Mr. Biden We will not be stopped in He made efforts to aid Ukraine defeat Russian aggressors.
Ms. Jean Pierre said Tuesday night in a statement that meeting the two leaders would be arranged “underscore the United States’ enduring commitment to Ukraine” and It was part of a continuous effort by Mr. Biden To rally “the world to support the people of Ukraine as they defend their sovereignty and territorial integrity.”
Senior administration officials stated that Mr. Biden They would not be able to attend Wednesday’s meeting. “with a message that is about pushing or prodding or poking Zelensky in any way” towards a diplomatic resolution of the conflict with Russia. According to the official who spoke anonymously because it had not been officially announced, Russia had made no sign of its willingness to engage. in Talks of good faith about ending war
However, the official said that Mr. Biden would not allow the United States to be drawn into an active war with Russia on Ukraine’s behalf, a pledge the president had made before Russian forces entered Ukraine at the end of February.
After meeting Mr. Biden and His national security team members, Mr. Zelensky According to officials, he will hold a news conference at White House. He will then head to Capitol Hill for what is likely to be an electrifying appearance before a joint session of Congress as Democratic control of the House — and the reign of Representative Nancy Pelosi of California as speaker — nears its end.
Although Mr. Biden Has vowed that he will continue to support him “for as long as it takes,” Some resistance is expected from him in Congress is where Republicans stand poised for control of the House in January. A few hours prior to the news that Mr. Zelensky’s visit broke, Republican leaders in The chamber was able to instruct rank- and responsibilitiesandTo oppose the roughly $1.7 trillion spending bill which includes Ukraine assistance, you can contact your lawmakers.
We consider these things before we use anonymous sources. Is the source aware of this information? What’s their motivation for telling us? Are they reliable? in What about the past? Are we able to confirm the information? These questions being answered, The Times still uses anonyme sources for last resort. The reporter and At least one editor should know the identity and source of each article.
Some Republicans in The House has repeatedly rejected previous billions-dollar packages in Military and Humanitarian aid to Ukraine suggests that the money could be better used or wasted in United States The United States.
Some others indicated Tuesday night that their support of Ukrainian aid will be overshadowed by opposition to the spending bill. It must be passed before Friday to avoid a government shut down. North Dakota Republican Senator Kevin Cramer said he voted against the spending bill “doesn’t mean we don’t support Ukraine.”
“Our first obligation is to the people we work for, not the people he works for,” He said that Mr. Zelensky.
Congress is expected to pass the spending bill (including the Ukraine funding) by week’s end, although votes have yet to be scheduled for final passage.
Mr. Zelensky’s trip to the United States was set in A senior administration official stated that motion was made nine days ago in a phone call between the leaders. He was invited by the White House. Zelensky One week ago and The plans to give a speech in Congress have already begun in On Sunday, the Ukrainian government confirmed that he would travel to America.
In the initial days and weeks of the full-scale Russian invasion, a Russian attack intended to take advantage of the leader’s absence might have stirred confusion in Ukrainian military. However, despite being 10 months in the war no military expert has ever questioned Ukrainian command and Control of the military
However, Russia’s military and The arsenal of missiles used by the political leaders to regularly fire at Ukraine is a constant threat. and a barrage timed for a presidential trip abroad would be within Russia’s capabilities. This might be a distractor for Mr. Zelensky To signal that Russia is open to responding to U.S.-Ukrainian ties, or to inform American officials.
The first news about his visit was reported in Punchbowl News There were suggestions Tuesday evening that a special session of Congress may have been held in It is in the works. Ms. Pelosi previously sent a letter of support to each House member. in Speak to them about the session on Wednesday and ask that they attend. in able to cast a vote from a distance.
“We are ending a very special session of the 117th Congress with legislation that makes progress for the American people as well as support for our democracy. Please be present for a very special focus on democracy Wednesday night,” Ms. Pelosi wrote.
Mr. Zelensky His surprise Tuesday visit to Bakhmut, a battered town of Bakhmut, did not reveal his plans to travel to the United States. Mr. Zelensky Ukrainian soldiers gave him a flag and requested that he bring it to Congress. He said he would give it to Mr. BidenAccording to Ukrainian media, he was able to do so.
His office didn’t have an official statement on any upcoming trip but the moment was caught on camera. Although it wasn’t clear if Mr. Zelensky In fact, he was preparing to flee the country for only the second time since the start of the war.
As the news of the potential visit emerged on Tuesday, multiple senators acknowledged it would be preferable for the Senate to pass the spending measure — including the security assistance for Ukraine — before Mr. Zelensky Speak to Congress
“That would represent a best-case scenario,” According to Senator John Thune, South Dakota’s No. 2 Republican. With a vote of 70 votes to 25, the procedural hurdle was cleared on Tuesday.
A handful of legislators acknowledged learning about the visit on Tuesday night, but many lawmakers disagreed. and The news shocked even aides. Multiple senior legislators, including Ms. Pelosi, were stunned by the news. and Kentucky senator Mitch McConnell has been to Ukraine as a minority leader. Zelensky Since the start of World War II, he has not been seen since. He spoke with Congress almost immediately after the war began.
“That President Zelensky is going to make his first trip outside the country since the war began to speak to us, to thank us and to challenge us to continue to support the Ukrainian people, I think is the perfect ending to two years where President Biden has had some landmark successes,” Chris Coons (Democrat from Delaware), who described Mr. Biden’s success rallying NATO and European allies behind Ukraine’s fight as the biggest international achievement this year.
Contributions to reporting were made by Carl Hulse and Annie Karni Starting at Washington, Andrew E. Kramer Kyiv and Marc Santora From Warsaw.
