War in Ukraine: historic meeting between Zelensky and Biden

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky made an exceptional visit to Washington on Wednesday, December 21. A historic visit, but also a surprise visit – this was only revealed the day before the departure – and a rushed visit that lasted only a few hours, the President had to fly away immediately after addressing Congress. The US Air Force plane that delivered it.

As he stepped off the plane, Zelenskiy, dressed in his traditional khaki uniform, said he had come to thank the American people. Shortly thereafter, he was warmly welcomed by Joe Biden and his wife Jill on the steps of the White House, the American president even grabbed him familiarly by the shoulder, directing him to the Oval Office. Later, during a brief speech to the press, Zelensky thanked Biden for his leadership and the generosity of his country and reminded that the Ukrainian struggle was also the struggle of the West. The United States “will continue to strengthen Ukraine’s ability to defend itself,” Joe Biden promised for his part, insisting on the need to achieve a “just peace” for Kyiv.

dual purpose

The visit is also filled with symbols: this is the first time a Ukrainian president has dared to leave his country since the Russian invasion on February 24, 300 days ago. He presented Biden with a medal given to him the day before by a Ukrainian army captain wounded in action, and was also supposed to hand over to Congress the Ukrainian flag of other fighters from Bakhmut, a martyr city, a symbol of Ukraine’s fierce resistance.

After an exchange of views with the American president, he addressed Congress in a special session. In December 1941, under admittedly very different circumstances, another military leader, British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, also asked Congress for American help. The symbol, again: the father of the current leader of the Democrats in the House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi, also a parliamentarian, was then in the august enclosure …

But in addition to symbols, Zelensky has two goals. First, to get new resources from the country that has most generously supported him since the conflict began. The US has already paid Kyiv nearly $50 billion, including $20 billion in arms and the rest in various supplies and cash. Congress is also expected to pass a new aid package worth about $45 billion ahead of the holiday season.

Kyiv has been calling for months for the creation of the Patriot anti-aircraft missile system to defend against Russian attacks, and on Wednesday the president formally granted his request. These missiles will be accompanied by several other sophisticated defensive weapons systems worth nearly $2 billion.

Strengthen the support of the American people

Second, Zelenskiy wants to make sure the momentum of solidarity that the United States has shown since last February doesn’t dry up. After the midterm elections in January, the House of Representatives will switch to the side of the Republicans. Their leader, Kevin McMurty, warned a few weeks ago that there could be no question of issuing “blank checks” to Ukraine. And this Wednesday, Republican Senator Kevin Cramer carried that through: “Our first responsibility is to the people we work for,” he said, “not to the people Zelensky works for. Speaking before Congress on prime time, Zelenskiy will seek to shore up the support of the American people.

Zelenskiy’s visit comes at a tense winter battlefield and with the Kremlin ramping up ranting. On Wednesday, hours after Zelensky’s visit to Washington was made public, Russian President Vladimir Putin promised at a meeting with senior military officials that Russia would continue to develop its military capabilities, including nuclear, specifying that new hypersonic cruise missiles would enter service in the near future. time. January. Its Defense Minister Sergei Shuigu also said that the number of soldiers in the Russian army will be increased to 1.5 million people, i.e. 350,000 more than now. The “just world” that Biden called for doesn’t seem to be on the agenda.