The last time Volodymyr Zelensky visited Washington, he hailed him as a hero.
But this time – in a political context in which some US politicians have called for a weakening of monetary policy for Ukraine – his task was much more difficult.
However, the Ukrainian president managed to get favorable comments on the upcoming US aid circular, which he considers essential to prevent Ukraine from wasting the war.
U. S. politicians who spoke to Zelensky said they were confident Ukraine had a war plan forged and that they were “winning. “
Zelenskyy won Joe Biden a red carpet on the South Lawn of the White House, as well as other ceremonies that world leaders receive.
The US president has made clear his considerations on Congress, where opposition to maintaining investments in Ukraine by a faction of Republicans in Congress commonly aligned with Donald Trump is intensifying.
After his meeting with Zelensky, Biden said he “has the intelligent judgment” of Congress.
In particular, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy decided not to accompany House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries as he greeted Zelenskyy upon his arrival.
He also rejected Zelensky’s request to hold a joint consultation in Congress, which took a stand during the Ukrainian president’s stopover last year, saying he did not have enough time in a short time.
However, McCarthy said the Ukrainian delegation’s responses to the talks were “direct” and “honest. “
“I’ve heard a lot of things,” he said.
Last night we reported that the United States had approved a new program for Ukraine, following a meeting between Joe Biden and Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Here are a few more main points about what this includes. . .
The package amounts to $325 million (£244 million) and includes more military aid.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the package would include more air defense, artillery munitions, cluster munitions and other weapons.
Biden confided in the Ukrainian president that “the American people are committed to ensuring that we do everything we can to get the world behind him. “
A lot happened overnight, so his morning update.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy concluded his trip to Washington with a speech at the Museum of National Archives.
After his speech, he posted a series of tweets celebrating his military and told his fans on social media: “Among the documents I saw today in the National Archives, Abraham Lincoln’s telegram to General Grant.
“Hold on to a bulldog’s fist, chew and choke as much as you can”: President Lincoln’s words reflect the courage and religion that helped America.
“President Lincoln’s words on precisely how the Ukrainians fight.
“In our victorious wars for Kiev, Kharkiv and Snake Island in the Black Sea. In our war for Bakhmut, where our foot soldiers advance no matter what. In our struggle for every square inch of Ukrainian territory.
“Every day of this war, Ukrainians stand firm with the claws of a bulldog. They chew and suffocate the Russian occupiers as much as they can. “
Hello and welcome to our war policy in Ukraine.
Last night, President Biden unveiled the latest in a series of aid packages for Ukraine: this new wave totals $325 million (£244 million) and adds weapons and air defenses.
The announcement comes as Volodymyr Zelensky travels to Washington, where he will meet with senior U. S. officials and deliver a speech at the National Archives.
Today the Ukrainian president is in Canada, where he hopes to be well received.
Expect additional consequences on the Polish front: with Kiev eager to save this situation, there will most likely be more movement during the day and weekend.
In case you missed more, here are the main advances of the last 24 hours:
Joe Biden said he had approved a new program for Ukraine, after meeting with Volodymyr Zelenskyy today.
Opening his speech, he said, “Only Russia stands in the way of peace,” adding that Putin is in favor of weapons from Iran and North Korea.
Biden said the new aid is intended for air defense, such as sending Abrams tanks to Ukraine, adding that he is committed to supporting reforms that “fight corruption. “
Zelensky briefly added that the United States will bolster his country’s air defense during the winter months.
New images show the meeting of Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Joe Biden this afternoon at the White House.
The two men reportedly discussed a massive aid program for Ukraine, which will be coming soon at their press conference.
President Zelensky took time to attend the September 11 memorial at the Pentagon the day before, before meeting with senior military officials.
“Terror fails when other people come together to protect freedom,” he said on X, formerly known as Twitter.
“He can defeat loose nations and peoples. “
Zelensky had a busy day as he visited the Pentagon and Capitol Hill. He is lately in talks with President Biden at the White House.
Another died as a result of a series of attacks in Ukraine’s Kherson region, the region’s governor said.
In the past we had detailed a series of attacks on the domain that resulted in the deaths of at least 8 other people in the last day (see 6:14 p. m. post).
Today, the total has risen to nine: A 63-year-old woman died from her injuries after her space was destroyed by a shelling in the village of Zelenivka, Oleksandr Prokudin said on Telegram.
At least 5,000 houses remain in force in the Russian town of Tula, according to state media RIA.
He said an “emergency blackout” had occurred in the city’s Zarechensky district, but gave the cause.
Pro-Kremlin media outlet SHOT also shared the news, adding that an explosion triggered blackouts around 22:00 local time (20:00 UK time).
Kyiv Post correspondent Jason Jay Smart shared this photo of the scene and also noted that an explosion was heard.
Reports of an explosion are verified and the cause of the blackout is unclear lately, as the local government has still publicly stated it.
President Zelensky held “frank and constructive” talks with U. S. senators later in the day, the Ukrainian leader said.
Zelensky went to Capitol Hill for talks with the most sensible lawmakers, making clear that if they didn’t show more, Ukraine would lose the war with Russia.
The Ukrainian president arrived at the White House recently (see previous post) and said he hoped to continue talks with him, adding the wishes of his country’s military and the air defense situation.