United States: Mr. Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Ukrainian President, will meet US President, Mr. Joe Biden, at the White House amid a debate in Washington about providing billions more in aid to Kyiv.
In a statement, the White House stated that Mr. Biden had invited Mr. Zelenskyy to discuss the “vital importance” of continued US support for Ukraine’s defense and the “urgent needs” it faces.
“As Russia ramps up its missile and drone strikes against Ukraine, the leaders will discuss Ukraine’s urgent needs and the vital importance of the United States’ continued support at this critical moment,” White House Press Secretary, Mr. Karine Jean-Pierre said in a statement.
Mr. Zelenskyy is also expected to address US senators. An aide for US House of Representatives Speaker, Mr. Mike Johnson, noted that the Ukrainian President will also have a private meeting with Mr. Johnson who has been trying to link Ukraine aid to immigration reforms at the US’s southern border.
The meetings take place as Mr. Biden tries to mobilize support for a $106 billion military aid plan mostly for Ukraine and Israel, which Republicans blocked last week after walking out of a classified briefing on Ukraine amid demands for border reforms.
Mr. Zelenskyy’s office confirmed the planned meeting with Mr. Biden. The office further pointed out that the major topic of discussion would include defense cooperation between the US and Ukraine, “particularly through joint projects on the production of weapons and air defense systems, as well as the coordination of efforts between our countries in the coming year.”
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