(Washington) Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is preparing to travel to Washington, United States, on Wednesday, according to three Associated Press sources. It would then be his first known trip outside the country since the start of the Russian invasion in February.
Two congressional sources and a person familiar with the matter confirmed plans for the visit. They spoke on condition of anonymity due to the highly sensitive nature of the trip. They warned, however, that Mr Zelensky’s visit, although planned, could still be canceled at the last minute due to security concerns.
The visit to Washington is expected to include an address to Congress and a meeting with President Joe Biden. It comes as lawmakers are set to vote on a year-end spending package that includes about $45 billion in emergency aid to Ukraine and as the United States prepares to send ground missiles. -air Patriot in the country to help counter the invasion of Russia.
The latest tranche of US funding would be the largest injection of US aid yet to Ukraine, even beyond Mr Biden’s $37 billion emergency request, and would ensure that funding flows to Ukraine. war effort for the months to come.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi encouraged lawmakers to be present for Wednesday night’s session.
“We are ending a very special session of 117e Congress with legislation that makes progress for the American people as well as support for our democracy, Mr.me Pelosi on Tuesday in a letter to his colleagues. Please be present for a very special focus on democracy on Wednesday evening. »
Mr. Zelensky addressed – almost daily – various parliaments and international organizations by video and he sent his wife to foreign capitals for help. The visit comes a day after he made a daring and dangerous trip to what he called the hottest spot on the 1,300 kilometer frontline, the town of Bakhmout in Ukraine’s disputed Donetsk province.
In a video released by his office during Bakhmut’s visit, Zelensky was presented with a Ukrainian flag and hinted at his speech to US leaders.
“The guys handed over our beautiful Ukrainian flag with their signatures for us to pass on,” Zelensky said in the video. We are not in an easy situation. The enemy increases his army. Our people are braver and need stronger weapons. We will pass it from the “boys” to Congress, to the President of the United States. We are grateful for their support, but it is not enough. »