On 24 February 2022,
Russia invaded Ukraine in a major escalation of the
Russo-Ukrainian War.[4][5][6] At the beginning of the invasion, Zelenskyy declined offers of evacuation from the United States.[7] The United States assisted Ukraine and Zelenskyy by other means, with the U.S. giving the most assistance to Ukraine throughout the invasion of any foreign nation—around US$50 billion at the time of Zelenskyy's visit.[8]
This was Zelenskyy's first visit to the White House, although he had met with Biden's predecessor, Donald Trump, in 2019, "on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly's opening sessions in New York."[9]
Informal discussions about the trip began on December 11, and after the invitation was extended and accepted, planning began on December 18. Zelenskyy traveled by train to
Przemyśl, Poland, where he was joined by U.S. ambassador
Bridget Brink, "transported in a U.S. Embassy vehicle to an
airport in Rzeszów," and then traveled, via a U.S. Air Force jet typically used by
Cabinet-level officials, to
Joint Base Andrews.[1]
Zelenskyy presented Biden with a medal that had been awarded to a Ukrainian officer responsible for a U.S.-furnished
HIMARS system "that the officer wanted Biden to have."[15]
Speech to Congress
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After meeting with Biden, Zelenskyy gave a speech, in English, to a joint session of the United States Congress. In his speech, Zelenskyy called for increased aid to Ukraine. Following his speech, Zelenskyy gave a Ukrainian flag signed by Ukrainian soldiers fighting at the
Battle of Bakhmut to Vice President of the United States
Kamala Harris and
Speaker of the United States House of RepresentativesNancy Pelosi. In return, Pelosi presented Zelenskyy with a U.S. flag, which had flown over the
Capitol that day. Zelenskyy carried the flag with him as he departed the House chamber.[16][17]
The Associated Press, citing a security analyst, wrote "Zelenskyy's mission of keeping America engaged is a difficult one, but he is up to the task."[15] David Sanger of the New York Times argued that Zelenskyy's true purpose was appealing "to the minority of Republicans who are reluctant to spend more in a conflict whose end is nowhere in sight..." To this end, Zelenskyy reminded Congress that Iran's assistance to Russia might ultimately impact close U.S. ally Israel, essentially urging Congressmembers hesitant to invest more in Ukraine to see it as part of a broader defense of Western interests.[18]
Gallery
President Zelenskyy during 2022 trip to Washington
Zelenskyy greeted by Ambassador
Oksana Markarova at Joint Base Andrews
Zelenskyy greeted by President
Joe Biden at the South Portico of the White House
Zelenskyy is received by President Joe Biden
Zelenskyy and Biden in the Diplomatic Reception Room
Zelenskyy and Biden in the Oval Office
Zelenskyy and Biden in the Rose Garden
Zelenskyy and Biden in a bilateral meeting in the Cabinet Room
Zelenskyy and Biden at a press conference in the East Room