A little over four hours after he landed on American soil, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyj now meets the press in the White House together with President Joe Biden. – It is an honor to have you here, Biden opened the press conference by saying. He says that the two have been in close contact throughout the 300 days that have passed since the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and that it is good to finally be able to meet. The plane carrying the Ukrainian president landed at Joint Base Andrews just outside the US capital at around 18.30 Norwegian time. Zelenskyj himself confirmed that he had arrived around an hour later. In a post on Telegram, he writes that he is in the United States to thank the country for its help in the war against Russia. – Next year we must return the Ukrainian flag and freedom to our entire country, to all our people, he said in the statement. In Washington, Zelenskyj first went to the White House where he met President Joe Biden. Dressed now in his “regular” outfit in military green, he shook hands with Biden and his wife, US first lady Jill Biden, they exchanged a few words and allowed themselves to be photographed briefly before entering. Inside the Oval Office, Zelenskyj thanked Biden for all his help and said it was an honor for him to be there. He also presented the US president with a medal. Biden said that “the whole world continues to be impressed by the Ukrainians.” – The American people stand with the Ukrainians. The United States supports Ukraine’s desire for a just peace, Biden told him. The US president assured more support in the future. – We will continue to strengthen Ukraine’s ability to defend itself, especially in the air, he said. First trip abroad during the war The trip is Zelenskyi’s first trip abroad since February. He is not known to have left Ukraine since the war started on 24 February. Information about the trip to the Ukrainian president has so far been very sparse, due to his security. Zelenskyj himself confirms the visit in a Twitter message earlier on Wednesday. It was learned already on Tuesday by the American media. – On the way to the USA to strengthen the resilience and strength of Ukraine. The President of the United States and I will discuss cooperation between Ukraine and the United States. I will also give a speech in Congress and have several bilateral meetings, he wrote earlier today. Security around Capitol Hill should already be tightened. Here Zelenskyj is received by Rufus Gifford, who is head of protocol in the US State Department Photo: UKRAINIAN PRESIDENTIAL PRESS SER / Reuters Zelenskyj was also received by Ukraine’s ambassador to the US, Oksana Markarova. Photo: UKRAINIAN PRESIDENTIAL PRESS SER / Reuters Receives weapons delivery According to the White House’s spokeswoman, Karine Jean-Pierre, Biden and Zelenskyj will jointly announce a new package of aid to Ukraine. Foreign Minister Anthony Blinken confirmed in a statement on Wednesday that, among other things, it is about the US sending the Patriot air defense system. The package is worth a total of 1.85 billion dollars – over 18 billion kroner. The website Axios previously wrote that it is expected that the US will also announce that Ukraine will receive more “smart” bombs, in addition to the advanced Patriot air defense system that Zelenskyj has requested. The Patriot system is considered important for Ukraine to be able to stop the many Russian missile attacks against the country’s infrastructure. They have repeatedly cut off the electricity, water and heat supply to many of the country’s cities in recent months. A worker prepares the final preparations for Zelenskyi’s visit to Washington on Wednesday. Photo: KEVIN LAMARQUE / Reuters Left straight from the front Volodymyr Zelenskyj left for the US straight from the front in eastern Ukraine, where he visited the Ukrainian soldiers defending the city of Bakhmut on Tuesday. – They defend the whole of Ukraine, said Zelenskyy, and added that after Donbas, Russia will wipe out all Ukrainian cities and everything that has to do with Ukraine. He probably left Ukraine by helicopter or car, and then went on by plane, perhaps an American military plane, from Poland or Romania. Looking forward to speech House Speaker Nancy Pelosi says she is looking forward to another heroic leader addressing Congress. – It’s about democracy itself, says Pelosi. Ever since the invasion, she has been a staunch champion of Ukraine’s cause, and the invitation to Zelenskyj to speak to the elected representatives is one of her last official acts, as the Republicans take over the majority in the House of Representatives from the turn of the year. Russian President Vladimir Putin’s press spokesman Dmitry Peskov says in a telephone conference that new arms deliveries to Ukraine will worsen the conflict. He does not believe that Zelenskyi’s visit will have anything to do with Ukraine’s view of the possibilities of achieving a solution to the conflict. Ukrainian authorities have said that the full withdrawal of the Russian forces must be the starting point to bring an end to the soon-to-be 10-month-long war between Russia and Ukraine.
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