Zelensky's visit to US: details revealed
On December 21, the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, went on a visit to the USA. The head of state himself officially confirmed his trip and talked about his plans to meet with his US colleague Joe Biden and speak in Congress.
RBC-Ukraine reports on the details of Zelensky's trip to the USA.
16:00. Zelensky flies to the USA on an American military plane.
According to CNN, various structures were involved in the organization and provision of security measures during Zelensky's visit to Washington. He first arrived by train in Przemyśl, Poland, after which he flew to the United States from the airport in Rzeszów.
15:40. Biden said that he is looking forward to seeing Zelensky.
"I hope you're having a good flight, Volodymyr. I'm thrilled to have you here. Much to discuss," US President Joe Biden wrote on his Twitter page.
I hope you're having a good flight, Volodymyr. I'm thrilled to have you here. Much to discuss. https://t.co/SsRdsAnSDb
— President Biden (@POTUS) December 21, 2022
15:15. Bankova explained why Zelensky's visit to the US is crucial.
As Mykhailo Podolyak, the President's Office chair adviser, noted, this visit by the president will disprove russia's attempts to spread fakes that relations between America and Ukraine are supposedly "cooling down."
Also, Zelensky's meeting with his American colleague will provide an opportunity to directly explain the real situation in Ukraine and what kind of weapons our fighters need to fight against russian aggression in the future.
14:35. Zelensky's first trip by plane since the beginning of the invasion.
"A little nervous. For the first time since the beginning of the war, the president is going on a business trip, not by train. Actually, by train, but not only by train. I forgot the name of the transport that flies. Nerves," wrote Oleksandr Kamyshin, head of Ukrzaliznytsia Railways.
13:49. The social media showed a video with Zelensky from Poland.
These were probably the published footage of the head of state's arrival in Poland before his plane to the USA. Together with Zelensky, the head of the Office of President, Andrii Yermak, and the US Ambassador to Ukraine, Bridget Brink, can be seen in the footage.
11:32. The media announced the time of Zelensky's meeting with Biden.
American leader Joe Biden will meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky near the White House at 9:00 p.m.
After that, the press conference of the Ukrainian president will be held at 11:30 p.m.
Zelensky's speech at the Congress is expected at 02:30 Kyiv time.
10:00. The Ukrainian delegation in the USA will request the supply of ATACMS and Gray Eagle.
Politico reports the information. According to the publication, during the visit of the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, to the USA, the Ukrainian delegation will ask the White House for the supply of long-range missiles and drones.
According to the publication's source, the Ukrainian delegation will request to supply long-range missile systems, ATACMS, and American Gray Eagle and Reaper drones.
09:53. Zelensky wants even more support from the US.
"Our situation is difficult. The enemy is increasing the number of troops, but our guys are braver. We need stronger weapons. We will convey thanks from our guys to the US Congress and the US President for their support, but this (support – ed.) is not enough," he said Zelensky in Bakhmut while handing him a Ukrainian flag signed by soldiers on the front line.
Timeline
Until today, detailed information about the Ukrainian leader's visit to Washington was not disclosed. And this is preceded, in particular, by security issues.
However, on the night of December 21, the American mass media began to write en masse about Zelensky's visit to Washington. The media reported that the Ukrainian president would address Congress and talk with the American leader Joe Biden.
At the same time, ABC News wrote that Zelensky plans to visit Capitol Hill.
Thus, it can be argued that the Ukrainian president's visit to Washington could be his first foreign trip after the start of russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Official confirmations
This morning, according to the White House, it became known that this visit was planned.
Thus, the Ukrainian leader's trip was agreed upon between Zelensky and Biden during a telephone conversation on December 11. After that, the latter offered two dates for a visit. It was about December 14 and 21.
Finally, the Ukrainian side confirmed Zelensky's visit only on Sunday, December 18.
Zelensky himself officially confirmed his trip to the USA. He wrote about this on his Twitter page.
Вирушив до США задля зміцнення стійкості й обороноздатності 🇺🇦. Зокрема, із @POTUS обговоримо співпрацю 🇺🇦 та 🇺🇸. Також виступлю в Конгресі та проведу низку двосторонніх зустрічей.
— Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) December 21, 2022
On my way to the US to strengthen Ukraine's resilience and defense capabilities. In particular, President Biden
and I will discuss cooperation between Ukraine and the US. I will also have a speech at the Congress and a number of bilateral meetings," the head of state reported.
After that, the Office of the President of Ukraine also reported this. The OP said that the Ukrainian leader would deliver a speech at a joint session of the two chambers of the US Congress and hold several bilateral meetings.
So, we can summarize that Zelensky has a meeting with Biden, critical members of his national security team, and the Cabinet of Ministers, an address to Congress, and a conversation with the press.
It should be noted that earlier, Congress Speaker Nancy Pelosi asked all members of Congress to be physically present at tonight's session, where Volodymyr Zelensky will speak.
What will Biden and Zelensky discuss?
As it became known, the presidents of Ukraine and the United States will discuss the in-depth strategic planning of further actions on the battlefield and the training opportunities that the United States and other allies will continue to provide to Ukraine.
Among the topics will be the issue of sanctions and export control, aid in the economic and energy sectors, and humanitarian support.
Not least important is the fact that the Biden administration called Zelensky's visit a signal to russian dictator vladimir putin that Washington will support Kyiv "as long as it takes."
New aid package from the US, including Patriot
No less resonant news from Zelensky's visit to the USA was the official confirmation by the White House of the transfer of the Patriot missile battery to Ukraine.
US President Joe Biden is expected to announce a new package of nearly $2 billion in security assistance to Ukraine today.
"It will contain a very important aspect: the Patriot missile battery, which will become a critical asset for the protection of the Ukrainian people from russia's barbaric attacks on Ukraine's critical infrastructure," the White House said.
Among other things, Washington promises Kyiv air defense systems NASAMS and HAWK, MANPADS Stinger, and equipment to combat UAVs.
