Zelenskyy meets with Biden, will speak to Congress later; live updates
WASHINGTON – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is meeting with President Joe Biden at the White House Wednesday and will deliver a prime-time speech before a joint session of Congress during a dramatic visit to Washington on the 300th day of the Russian attack on the U.S. ally.
He arrived at the White House for his historic mission a little after 2 p.m. and was warmly greeted by Biden and first lady Jill Biden.
Zelenskyy’s visit comes as Biden and Congress reaffirm their commitment to Ukraine by sending billions in humanitarian and military aid to the war-ravaged country, but it hasn’t come without pushback.
The Ukrainian president will speak tonight even as some Republicans are demanding greater accountability from Biden and top Defense officials on how nearly $50 billion in aid already disseminated has been spent.
Congress is set to pass another $44 billion in Ukraine aid through the omnibus spending bill expected to pass this week.
Zelenskyy’s visit – his first outside his home country since the war began in late February – comes with a sense of urgency. It’s a whirlwind, wartime trip that is seen as a major security risk for the Ukrainian president, and it’s an opportunity to make a personal appeal to Washington as he tries to bolster public and congressional support for the fight against Russia.
Latest developments:
- Zelensky has arrived at the White House and is meeting with Biden. He’ll hold a press conference with Biden this afternoon. Later today, he will address a joint session of Congress.
- Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced the details of a $1.85 billion military package for Ukraine, including the transfer of the Patriot Air Defense System – the most advanced air weaponry the Biden administration has provided Kyiv to date in its battle against Russia.
- Congress is set to pass a spending bill this week that includes about $44 billion for Ukraine in military and humanitarian assistance Some Republicans have resisted giving what House GOP Leader Kevin McCarthy has called a “blank check” to the U.S. ally.
- Hours before Zelenskky was set to address Congress Wednesday, the Senate overwhelmingly confirmed a new ambassador to Russia. Lynne Tracy is a veteran foreign service officer with extensive experience in Russian affairs.
Ukraine war live blog:https://www.usatoday.com/news/ukraine/
Biden: `You will never stand alone’
Biden began his remarks with a message for Ukraine: “You never stand alone. You will never stand alone.”
Biden said Americans know that the world will face worse consequences if the U.S. doesn’t stand up to bullies and stand up for freedom.
“We understand in our bones that Ukraine’s fight is part of something much bigger,” he said.
– Maureen Groppe
Biden says Zelenskyy is open to a `just peace’
Biden said that Zelenskyy has made clear he is open to pursuing a “just peace” but Russian President Vladimir Putin has “no intention of stopping this cruel war.”
Biden praised Ukraine for standing up to Russia.
“Ukraine has defied Russia’s expectations at every single turn,” he said.
Biden pledged that the U.S. would continue to support Ukraine and pushed lawmakers to swiftly…
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