Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky may visit the White House and address a special Joint Session of Congress on Wednesday in his first visit to the U.S. since Russia invaded his country, it has emerged.
Trip is highly dependent on security arrangements, so the trip is not 100 percent happening. It could be called off at the last minute.
It’s ‘not confirmed,’ a source familiar with the situation said.
‘All dependent on security. Leaks not helping.’
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi lauded a potential Zelensky visit as she left the Capitol Tuesday evening.
‘To have a … complete total hero in the Congress of the United States, fighting for democracy, leading people who are fighting for democracy, would bring honor to the Congress of the United States,’ she said.
Multiple news outlets reported Zelensky’s travel plans, which would include a visit with President Joe Biden at the White House. At that stop, the administration will announce that it will send Patriot missile systems to Ukraine.
If the visit is not called off, Zelensky would also make the trek to Capitol Hill to meet with Congressional leaders and then address them in the House chamber.Â
Pelosi even teased a surprise in a letter to lawmakers on Tuesday afternoon, encouraging them all to be ‘physically present’ on Wednesday evening.
In the letter: ‘We are ending a very special session of the 117th Congress with legislation that makes progress for the American people as well as support for our Democracy.
‘Please be present for a very special focus on Democracy Wednesday night,’ she said.
Recalled that Pelosi visited the Ukrainian president in late April.
Many lawmakers have also visited Zelensky in the Ukraine since Russia invaded the country in February to show their support.
Zelensky’s visit comes as lawmakers are preparing to pass a federal budget for the next year that includes $44.9 billion for the Ukraine – the biggest amount to date and well above President Joe Biden’s $37 billion request.Â
The move ensures that funding will flow to the embattled nation for months to come amid questions about whether Republicans, who take control of the House on January 3rd, would continue financial assistance.
The Ukrainian president on Tuesday visited the eastern frontline city of Bakhmut, now the epicentre of fighting in Russia’s nearly 10-month invasion of Ukraine.
Zelensky met military officials and handed out awards to Ukrainian servicemen, who have been holding back a fierce and months-long Russian campaign for the city.
In a video released by his office from the Bakhmut visit, Zelensky was handed a Ukrainian flag and alluded to delivering it to U.S. leaders.
‘The guys handed over our beautiful Ukrainian flag with their signatures for us to pass on,’ he said in the video.
‘We are not in an easy situation. The enemy is increasing its army, and our people are braver and need more powerful weapons.
‘We will pass it on from the boys to the Congress, to the President of the United States. We are grateful for their support, but it is not enough. It is a hint – it is not enough.’
