Russia's invasion of Ukraine
Zelenskyi has landed in the United States
Of:
Josefine Karlsson
Published: Less than 2 hours ago
Updated: Very recently
NEWS
Volodymyr Zelenskyy is in the White House.
He got out of a black SUV, shook hands with Joe Biden and was about to stand next to wife Jill Biden.
But the president grabbed his guest, stood him in the middle and put his arm around his shoulders.
Now the presidents will settle down in the Oval Office.
"I am in Washington today to thank the American people, the President and Congress for their much-needed support," he writes on Telegram.
Zelenskyj left Ukraine by train to the Polish border and was captured on film at a train station in Polish Przemysl, including with the US ambassador to Ukraine. There he got into a white SUV and was driven to Rzeszow airport where an American state plane was waiting, TVN reports. The plane landed at Joint Base Andrews Air Force Base, just over a mile outside of Washington. There he stepped down on a red carpet and shook hands with, among others, the Ukrainian ambassador to the United States.
Biden pulled Zelensky close to him
A short drive later, he has now arrived at the White House. On the red carpet, Joe Biden and his wife Jill Biden were waiting.
Zelenskyy got out of the back seat of a black SUV. He was wearing a military green college shirt and long pants. He shook hands first with President Biden and then with wife Jill. Zelenskyj was about to stand next to Jill, but her husband grabbed Zelenskyj's arm and pulled him close, placing him in the middle in front of clapping photographers and shouting reporters. Biden put his arm around Zelenskyi's shoulders before all three entered the White House without answering questions.
Leaving the country for the first time during the war
During the war, Zelenskyy has repeatedly spoken with world leaders by phone and video call. This is the first time the president has left Ukraine since the February 24 Russian invasion.
“I hope you have a pleasant flight, Volodymyr. I am looking forward to having you here. We have a lot to discuss,” Joe Biden wrote on Twitter after the plane took off.
Here Zelensky arrives in Washington. Photo: Telegram
Zelensky in a car on the way to the White House. Photo: Carolyn Kaster/AP
Here he is received by President Joe Biden. Photo: Patrick Semansky/AP
The plan is for Zelensky to meet Joe Biden in the Oval Room of the White House. They will then hold a joint press conference in the White House before Zelenskyy is to address Congress.
Zelenskyj and Biden are expected to discuss the latest military aid that the US will send to Ukraine and the cooperation between the countries.
“I will conduct negotiations to strengthen Ukraine's resilience and defense capabilities. In particular, we will discuss bilateral cooperation between Ukraine and the United States with US President Joseph Biden. Next year, we must return the Ukrainian flag and freedom to our entire country, to our entire people," Zelensky wrote on Telegram after he landed.
Ukraine gets long-awaited Patriot
The United States will, among other things, send the advanced Patriot air defense system to Ukraine, AFP reported earlier on Wednesday evening.
Ukraine has long requested Patriot in particular and had the air defense system at the top of its wish list. Biden has approved the US sending about $1.85 billion in defense materials to aid Ukraine. This corresponds to roughly 19.3 billion Swedish kronor.
"Today we welcome President Zelensky to the United States and present a new military aid of 1.85 billion dollars to Ukraine," writes US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken on Twitter.
Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the House of Representatives, has invited Volodymyr Zelenskyi.
“President Zelensky's courageous, patriotic, tireless leadership has rallied not only his people, but the world, to join the front lines of the fight for freedom. We look forward to hearing his inspiring message of resilience and determination," she writes on Twitter.
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