Volodymyr Zelensky, the President of Ukraine, has announced that he will meet with Joe Biden, the United States President, on Wednesday,December 21 in Washington.
His journey abroad marks his first since Russia’s invasion in February.
The White House has confirmed the visit and stated that it will give Ukraine a Patriot missile battery, greatly enhancing its air defense capabilities.
In addition to holding a number of meetings, Mr. Zelensky will also address Congress.
“On my way to the US to strengthen resilience and defense capabilities of Ukraine,” he wrote on Twitter.
Mr. Zelensky has visited Ukrainian military all around the country and frequently receives foreign leaders in the country’s capital, Kyiv.
The surprise trip abroad is a first since the war started and highlights the significance of Ukraine’s relationship with the US, which has been instrumental in providing military support.
Prior to Mr. Zelensky’s arrival, the White House announced a new package of over $2 billion (£1.6 billion) in security aid for Ukraine.
Among them is a new Patriot missile defense system, which will aid Ukraine in defending its infrastructure from Russian attacks. Ukrainian officials have long pleaded with the West for more potent air defense systems.
Russia has been attacking Ukraine’s energy industry, leaving millions in the dark throughout the winter when it is well below freezing.
The White House stated that it will train Ukrainian forces on how to utilize the Patriot system in a “third country,” adding that this “will take some time.”
Additionally, efforts are presently being made in the US to pass legislation that would provide Ukraine with an additional $33 billion (over $40 billion) in assistance by the year 2023.
The US military deduced that at least 100,000 Russian and 100,000 Ukrainian soldiers have been killed or injured since Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24. Additionally, there have been an estimated 40,000 civilian fatalities.
7.8 million refugees from Ukraine have been registered by the UN in countries all around Europe, including Russia. The number excludes those who were compelled to leave their homes but are still in Ukraine, nevertheless.
Author-Roberta Appiah
