Zelensky thanks ‘ordinary Americans’ during defiant wartime US visit

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky made a provocative wartime visit to Washington to thank U.S. leaders and “ordinary Americans” for their support in the fight against Russian aggression and pledged to help end the war “Won’t compromise”.

President Joe Biden and Congress responded with billions of dollars in new aid and pledges to help Ukraine pursue a “just peace.”

Mr Biden welcomed Mr Zelensky to the Oval Office, saying the US and Ukraine would continue to plan a “joint defense” amid Russia’s “brutal assault on Ukraine’s right to exist as a state”.

“As president, for me, a ‘just peace’ is not a compromise,” Mr Zelensky told reporters. Compensation” and the war would end.

The highly sensitive visit comes after a brutal 10-month war that has claimed tens of thousands of casualties on both sides and devastated Ukrainian civilians.

Mr Zelensky’s visit is aimed at reviving support for his country in the United States and around the world amid concerns that allies are growing weary of the costly war and its disruption to global food and energy supplies.

Just before his arrival, the United States announced its largest single arms delivery to Ukraine, including Patriot surface-to-air missiles, and Congress was scheduled to vote on a spending package that included some $45 billion in emergency aid to Ukraine.

“Mr. President, it is important for the American people and the world to hear directly from you about the struggle in Ukraine and the need for continued unity in 2023,” Mr. Biden said.

After the White House meeting, the Ukrainian president is scheduled to address Congress in the evening, with Vice President Kamala Harris in attendance.

U.S. and Ukrainian officials have made clear that they do not believe the war will be resolved immediately and are prepared to continue fighting for some time. The latest infusion of U.S. funding will be the biggest yet.

Mr Biden reiterated that while the US would arm and train Ukraine, the US military would not be directly involved in the war.

Mr. Biden and Mr. Zelensky first discussed the idea of ​​the visit in a Dec. 11 phone call and issued a formal invitation three days later, according to a senior U.S. administration official.

Mr. Zelensky accepted the invitation on Friday and was confirmed on Sunday, when the White House began coordinating with Ms. Pelosi to schedule a speech to Congress.

The Russian foreign ministry said the delivery of the advanced surface-to-air missile system would be considered a provocative step and that the system and its entourage would be a legitimate target of Moscow’s military.

It is unclear when the Patriot Battery will arrive on the Ukrainian front, as the U.S. military will have to train Ukrainian troops. Training can take several weeks and is expected to be completed in Germany.

The visit comes at a critical time as the White House braces for greater headwinds as Republicans take control of the House of Representatives in January and bring more scrutiny of aid to Ukraine. California Republican leader Kevin McCarthy said his party would not write a “blank check” for Ukraine.