War in Ukraine: Zelensky is expected on Wednesday in Washington

This will be his first international trip since the beginning of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is expected to visit Washington on Wednesday, several U.S. media outlets reported on Tuesday, adding that he could address Congress and meet with Joe Biden at the White House.

In Tuesday’s letter, House Leader Nancy Pelosi “urges” MPs to “be physically present” Wednesday night at a meeting “especially dedicated to democracy.”

The visit, if confirmed, will come as U.S. parliamentarians prepare to vote on a massive new support package for Ukraine. The American president, for his part, should give the go-ahead to send a particularly sophisticated Patriot air defense system to Ukraine.

The White House declined to comment on this information, according to media across the Atlantic.

Unexpected visit on Tuesday to Bakhmut

On Tuesday, the Ukrainian president already made a surprise and highly symbolic visit to Bakhmut, a city in his country’s east that has been ravaged by heavy fighting with Russian troops who have been trying to take it since the summer. The trip, which preceded the clashes, was a challenge to his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, who at the same time presented awards to pro-Russian soldiers and separatist leaders in eastern Ukraine.

In addition, the World Bank (WB) announced on Tuesday that it will provide Ukraine with an additional $610 million to help the country “meet its most urgent needs” in the health sector. This support, in particular, is guaranteed to the United Kingdom in the amount of up to $500 million.