Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is expected to go to Washington on Wednesday, where he will meet with his American colleague Joe Biden at the White House, and then visit the US Capitol, Punchbowl News and CNN report, Reuters reports.

Zelenskyi is expected to be greeted by Biden and hold meetings with congressional leaders and the chairs of the National Security Committee.

The trip has not yet been confirmed and security concerns could force a change in plans, a source familiar with the plan said on Tuesday, according to Reuters.

U.S. Rep. Marcy Kaptur, co-chair of the U.S. Congressional Ukraine Caucus, told CBS News that efforts are underway to bring Zelenskyi to the Capitol on Wednesday to appear before Congress.

“We would be very happy for them to visit us. I’m amazed he can do that given the situation. It would make a great gift in the Capitol. We work with management to be helpful. We understand if he can’t in the end,” Kaptura was quoted as saying by CBS News.

The White House declined to comment on the possible visit or new announcements about security assistance.

The Ukrainian president is expected to address Congress during his trip, which will be his first trip abroad since Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24.

On Tuesday, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi, announced that there will be a session of Congress on Wednesday night, which will be devoted to issues of democracy.

Pelosi did not specify what the session would be about. Her office did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Zelensky’s visit, which was reported by Punchbowl News.

Biden would say that the US is providing Patriot systems to Ukraine

The surprise visit will coincide with the Biden administration’s intention to send a new military defense aid package that will include Patriot systems, CNN reported, citing two sources familiar with the plan.

In fact, last week US officials cited by Reuters said the United States was finalizing plans to send Patriot missile defense systems to Ukraine.

Ukraine has asked its Western partners for air defense systems, including the American Patriot systems, to protect itself from intense Russian missile fire, including on its energy infrastructure.

The Patriot battery can require up to 90 soldiers to operate and maintain, and for months the US has been reluctant to provide the complex system because sending forces to Ukraine to operate it is not a good idea for the Biden administration.

But there were also fears that the deployment of the system could provoke Russia, or that there was a risk that a launched missile could reach inside Russia, potentially escalating the conflict further.

What is Patriot?

The Patriot is a surface-to-air guided missile system that was first deployed in the 1980s and can engage aircraft, cruise missiles and short-range ballistic missiles.

Each battery has a fire section (four launchers mounted/attached to the truck, radar, fire control unit, generators and other equipment).

Against cruise missiles and drones, Ian Williams notes, the Patriot’s value is limited because their radar has a 120-degree coverage angle, while NASAMS monitors the horizon 360 degrees, AFP reported.

Read also:

What can the “Patriot” system do for Ukraine / To what extent can it affect the fate of the war?

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