Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky traveled to Washington yesterday, making his first known trip outside of Ukraine since the start of the Russian invasion on Feb. 24. Zelensky was warmly welcomed by US President Biden, who donned a tie in the colors of the Ukrainian flag in his honor. “I am here to thank the American people, the President and Congress for their support, to continue our cooperation and bring our victory closer,” were Zelensky’s first comments upon arrival in the American capital. According to a Politico report, Zelensky’s visit to the United States and his speech in Congress surprised both US officials and members of the organization. Behind the scenes, both parties had been planning Zelenskiy’s move to the US for days after the invitation was made during a Dec. 11 phone call between the two men.

medal award

During a discussion in the Oval Office against the backdrop of a living fire, Zelensky presented Joe Biden with a medal and a Ukrainian flag. “I don’t deserve this, but thanks,” Biden replied. “It’s unbelievable that you’ve been going through all this for 300 days. We are here to support you in this barbaric, barbaric Putin war.” Zelenskiy was then to address Congress to express gratitude for the $45 billion in military aid his country had received. The US president and his Ukrainian counterpart hoped to use the visit as an opportunity to assuage congressional doubts about its new composition, which would be dominated by skeptical Republican lawmakers.

The new aid package announced yesterday by US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken includes $1.85 billion worth of weapons systems and munitions, including the Patriot missile system. US officials recently had heated discussions with their Ukrainian and European counterparts over the level of military support Washington could continue to provide to Kyiv to help its war effort this winter. Ukraine has asked the Biden administration for the latest weapons it says could secure its eventual victory. “He needs long-range weapons to prevent an expected Russian counterattack,” former U.S. ambassador to Ukraine Bill Taylor told Politico. “He needs immediate financial support to keep his administration going, and he knows Congress will make a decision on these issues within a week.”

While the Biden administration has vowed to continue helping Kyiv, U.S. officials have resisted deliveries of long-range missiles that would give Ukrainians the ability to hit targets deep in Russia. But the Ukrainians argue that these weapons will allow them to regain lost territories and force Russia on the defensive. It was believed that the Ukrainian mission would need ATACMS, which can hit targets at a distance of 300 kilometers, as well as Gray Eagle and Reaper drones. But the United States is not ready to give in, since the White House has categorically rejected the possibility of sending ATACMS to Kyiv. According to the Biden administration, the stakes are too high, as there is a risk that Russian President Vladimir Putin will use even deadlier weapons in response.