President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine is on his route to Washington, where he will meet with Vice President Joe Biden.
This is his first travel abroad since the Russian invasion in February.
Given the security risks involved, it is unlikely that details of his itinerary would be made public, but he was spotted earlier at a Polish train station.
The United States has announced it will provide Ukraine with a Patriot missile system, substantially enhancing the country’s air defense capabilities.
Mr. Zelensky tweeted, “On my way to the United States to boost the resilience and defense capabilities of Ukraine.”
In addition, he stated that he would address Congress and hold several meetings.
Unsurprisingly, the visit was kept a secret, with formal confirmation arriving only hours before it was scheduled to begin.
The United States has been Ukraine’s most important partner during the war, providing $50 billion (£41 billion) in humanitarian, financial, and security aid – more than any other country.
Since the beginning of the war, Mr. Zelensky has maintained frequent phone contact with Western officials. But by inviting him to the White House, Vice President Biden would demonstrate, as has been repeatedly stated, that Washington is dedicated to assisting the country “for as long as it takes.”
Wednesday, Russian President Vladimir Putin stated in a speech to defense commanders that his country was fighting against NATO forces in Ukraine.
It is common knowledge that the military capacity and capabilities of the majority of NATO’s leading nations are being aggressively employed against Russia.
In its briefing before Mr. Zelensky’s visit, the White House revealed a new security assistance package for Ukraine at nearly $2 billion.
This includes a new Patriot missile system, a powerful air defense system that will assist Ukraine in protecting its cities from the missiles and drones fired by Russia against vital facilities.
The attacks, which local officials claim are intended to demoralize the Ukrainian people, have left millions without electricity and heating as temperatures plunge below freezing across the country.
However, it is unclear whether President Zelensky would receive the longer-range missiles he has requested to strike Russian targets beyond the front lines.
In his presentation to Congress on Wednesday, the Ukrainian leader will likely appeal for more weapons by citing the infrastructure attacks. There, he will see Republicans who have criticized the extent of US help as Congress contemplates approving an additional $50 billion in assistance.
The monthly cost of Ukraine’s defense is allegedly $5 billion (£4.1 billion).
The visit to Washington follows a day in which President Zelensky, dressed in combat khaki, was in Bakhmut, a front-line city in eastern Ukraine that has witnessed some of the toughest fights of this conflict.
According to the presidency, he visited with troops and awarded servicemen.
The visit was a remarkable showing of defiance and support for Ukrainian forces on the front line.
In a moment captured on film, soldiers presented Mr. Zelensky with a Ukrainian flag bearing their signatures and urged him to transmit it to President Biden and the US Congress.
President Zelensky has committed to reclaiming all occupied territory, including territories invaded before February. In his customary evening address before the visit, he stated that Ukraine would do “everything feasible and impossible, expected and unexpected” to achieve “the outcomes that all Ukrainians want.”
Since Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, the US military estimates at least 100,000 Russian and 100,000 Ukrainian soldiers have been killed or wounded, in addition to around 40,000 civilians.
The United Nations has documented 7.8 million Ukrainian refugees across Europe, including Russia. However, the number does not include individuals who were compelled to evacuate their homes but who remain in Ukraine.
