WASHINGTON (AP) December, 21— Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was making his way to Washington on Wednesday for a summit with President Joe Biden and an address Congress in a bid to shore up support for his country and send a defiant message to its Russian invaders.
Zelenskyy said on his Twitter account that the visit, his first known trip outside Ukraine since the war began in February, was “to strengthen the resilience and defence capabilities” of Ukraine and to discuss cooperation with the United States.
The highly sensitive trip was taking place after 10 months of a brutal war that has seen tens of thousands of casualties on both sides and devastation for Ukrainian civilians. The U.S. was set to announce its largest single delivery of arms to Ukraine, including Patriot surface-to-air missiles, and Congress planned to vote on a spending package that includes about $45 billion in emergency assistance to Ukraine.
Zelenskyy headed abroad after making a daring and dangerous trip Tuesday to what he called the hottest spot on the 1,300-kilometer (800-mile) front line of the war, the city of Bakhmut in Ukraine’s contested Donetsk province. He praised the “courage, resilience and strength” of the Ukrainian army and fired artillery behind them.
Polish commercial broadcaster TVN24 said President Zelenskiy entered Poland early Wednesday morning on his way to Washington. At the station, a person who seems to be Zelensky arrived at the station and was taken to the train. The video, which is partially blurred for security reasons, was filmed in the Polish border town of Przemysl, the arrival point for many war refugees, according to TVN24. US officials commented on Zelensky’s travel plans, citing security concerns.
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said in a statement that 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.”
Zelenskyy was to meet with Biden at the White House in the afternoon and then join Biden for a news conference in the East Room. The address to Congress was expected in the evening.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, in her invitation to Zelenskyy to speak to lawmakers, said “the fight for Ukraine is the fight for democracy itself” and that they were waiting to “hearing your inspiring message of unity, resilience and determination.”
U.S. and Ukrainian officials have made clear they do not envision an imminent resolution to the war and are preparing for fighting to continue for some time. The latest infusion of U.S. money would be the biggest yet — and exceed Biden’s $37 billion request.
Biden has repeated that while the U.S. will arm and train Ukraine, American forces will not be directly engaged in the war. Mr. Biden and Mr. Zelensky first discussed the idea of a visit in a Dec. 11 phone call, and a formal invitation was sent three days later, according to a senior U.S. government official. Zelenskiy accepted the invitation on Friday, and it was confirmed Sunday that the White House had begun coordination with the California Democrats to arrange a speech to Congress.
The White House said it had discussed security issues with President Zelensky, including the risks of Russia’s actions, but Zelensky was temporarily out of the country, officials said, citing the sensitive nature of the visit. He told reporters on condition of anonymity.
