Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived in Washington for a short, high-stakes go to, his first time leaving his nation since Russia invaded greater than 300 days in the past.
He’ll meet US president Joe Biden earlier than addressing a joint session of the Congress in a while Wednesday. Shortly earlier than his arrival, the Biden administration announced $1.85bn in new deadly help for Ukraine, together with the long-coveted superior Patriot missile defence system.
Zelenskyy is in Washington at a important second in Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Officers in Kyiv have warned Moscow is gearing up for a potential winter offensive as Ukraine fends off Russian assaults on two fronts: the east and south, the place grinding fight between the militaries is below approach; and within the skies, the place Moscow has pummeled Ukraine’s important vitality infrastructure.
He wrote in a Telegram publish: “I’m in Washington at present to thank the American individuals, the President and the Congress for his or her much-needed assist. And likewise to proceed co-operation to convey our victory nearer.”
The Biden administration desires the go to to showcase US assist for Ukraine because the nation heads into a troublesome winter.
Western weaponry will likely be important for Ukraine. Kyiv has lengthy sought the Patriot system, which analysts say will likely be a strong addition to the nation’s air defences, though it won’t provide fast respite from the mass Russian missile and drone assaults which might be smashing Ukraine’s energy infrastructure.
Along with the Patriot system, the US can even for the primary time switch joint direct assault munitions, which convert unguided aerial munitions into “sensible bombs”, permitting Ukrainian forces to extra exactly goal Russian navy positions.
The US will practice Ukrainian troops on the Patriot system, doubtless in Germany, for weeks earlier than it arrives in Ukraine. It’s anticipated to take a while earlier than the system is operational on the battlefield.
The US has dedicated tens of billions of {dollars} in navy, financial and humanitarian help to Ukraine since Russia invaded Ukraine in February.
Congress is ready to vote this week on a spending invoice that features $45bn in extra funds for Kyiv. The Biden administration has vowed to proceed supporting Ukraine, with officers making preparations for a battle that would stretch nicely into subsequent yr and past. Nonetheless, Republican leaders within the Home of Representatives have prompt that passing extra assist for Kyiv will likely be more difficult subsequent yr after they take management of the decrease chamber of Congress.
The Biden administration, Ukrainian officers and different Western allies have had quiet conversations about what a diplomatic answer may finally seem like, although US officers stress the timing is just not proper.
“Biden is just not going to strain or push Zelenskyy to the negotiating desk, however moderately, he’s going to work with Congress and with our allies to place Ukraine in the very best place on the battlefield in order that when the time is ripe, they’re in the very best place on the negotiating desk,” a senior administration official mentioned earlier than Zelenskyy’s go to.
The Kremlin on Wednesday mentioned it didn’t anticipate any constructive developments or modifications in Kyiv’s place on peace talks following Zelenskyy’s go to to Washington.
“The weapons provide to Ukraine continues, and their vary is increasing. It results in the battle aggravation and doesn’t bode Ukraine any good,” Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov mentioned.
Further reporting by Anastasia Stognei in Riga and Christopher Miller
