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Ukraine's Zelenskyy in Washington live updates: Biden visit, address to Congress
He'll speak to lawmakers as they consider $45 billion in new aid.
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is making a dramatic visit to Washington Wednesday -- his first trip outside Ukraine since the Russian invasion began in February.
He's set to visit President Joe Biden at the White House and address Congress as lawmakers vote on $45 billion more in emergency aid, and Biden is expected to announce the U.S. will send Ukraine a Patriot anti-missile battery to defend against devastating Russian attacks.
In a virtual address to U.S. lawmakers back in March, Zelenskyy emotionally pleaded for more aggressive measures to help fight the war. Invoking key American tragedies, including Pearl Harbor and the Sept. 11 attacks, Zelenskyy told members at the time, "Just remember it … Our country experiences the same every day right now."
Here is how the story is developing:
Zelenskyy visits Washington as additional Ukraine aid looms
Zelenskyy's trip to Washington comes as Biden will announce a "significant new package" of nearly $2 billion in security assistance for Ukraine, which includes a Patriot missile defense battery that Zelenskyy has been requesting, a senior administration official told ABC News.
"We will train Ukrainian forces on how to operate the Patriot missile battery in a third country. This will take some time, but Ukrainian troops will take that training back to their country to operate this battery."
The visit also comes as Congress weighs $45 billion in funding for Ukraine. When asked how much of this visit is also about Biden sending a message to the new GOP-controlled House on the need for US to keep the aid for Ukraine flowing, they said this is not about politics.
"This isn't about sending a message to a particular political party, this is about sending a message to Putin and sending a message to the world that America will be there for Ukraine for as long as it takes."
–ABC News' Justin Gomez
Pelosi’s formal invitation to Zelenskyy for joint meeting of Congress
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi sent a letter Tuesday formally inviting Zelenskyy to address lawmakers on Capitol Hill.
"It is with immense respect and admiration for your extraordinary leadership that I extend on behalf of bipartisan Congressional leadership an invitation to address a Joint Meeting of Congress on Wednesday, December 21, 2022," Pelosi wrote.
Pelosi said Zelenskyy's "courageous, patriotic, indefatigable leadership has rallied not only your people, but the world, to join the frontlines of the fight for freedom."
"The fight for Ukraine is the fight for democracy itself," the letter read. "We look forward to hearing your inspiring message of unity, resilience and determination."
Pelosi and a small group of Democratic lawmakers met with Zelenskyy in Kyiv in May to reiterate support for Ukraine.
Zelenskyy's schedule in Washington
Zelenskyy shared he was on his way to the U.S. early Tuesday morning, describing the trip as a way to strengthen the resilience and defense capabilities of Ukraine.
"I hope you're having a good flight, Volodymyr. I'm thrilled to have you here. Much to discuss," Biden responded on Twitter.
The Ukrainian president will be greeted by Biden at the White House South Lawn at 2 p.m.
The two leaders will then hold a bilateral meeting in the Oval Office at 2:30. Zelenskyy last visited Biden at the White House in September 2021, just months before Russia's invasion began.
Zelenskyy and Biden will participate in a joint press conference in the East Room at 4:30 p.m. before Zelenskyy travels to Capitol Hill to address lawmakers.
