Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on Wednesday that he is on his way to the US, where he will hold a summit with US President Joe Biden.
The highly sensitive trip marks the first time the Ukrainian president has left the country since Russia invaded on 24 February.
“On my way to the US to strengthen the resilience and defence capabilities of Ukraine. The US President and I will discuss cooperation between the US and Ukraine. I will also give a speech at the Congress and a number of bilateral meetings,” he tweeted.
During the visit, Biden will announce the release of nearly $2bn in fresh security aid to the war-torn country, including a patriot surface-to-air missile battery, US media reported, citing a senior administration official.
Moreover, the US will train Ukraine’s military on how to use the patriot in a third country, the official said, noting it will take time before it is operational in Ukraine.
White House officials declined on Tuesday evening to confirm a meeting between the two presidents.
The Ukrainian president’s visit comes as lawmakers are preparing to vote on an omnibus spending bill that includes $44.9bn in emergency assistance to Ukraine and NATO allies.
On Tuesday, US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi sent a letter to all the House’s lawmakers, asking them to attend the Wednesday night session in person.
“We are ending a very special session of the 117th Congress with legislation that will foster progress for the American people as well as support for our democracy. Please be present for a very special focus on democracy on Wednesday night,” Pelosi wrote.
On Wednesday, the Kremlin commented on the visit of the Ukrainian President to Washington saying that it “ends chances for peace.”
When asked at a press briefing in Moscow whether Russia expects that Kyiv’s position will become more constructive after Zelenskyy’s visit to the US and will change towards peace talks with Russia, Kremlin Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said: “I don’t think so.”
“Arms supplies are continuing; the range of supplied weapons is expanding. All this, of course, leads to an aggravation of the conflict, and, in fact, does not bode well for Ukraine,” he added.
