“I am on my way to the United States to strengthen Ukraine’s resistance and defense capabilities.” It is the first time since the start of the Russian invasion on February 24 that President Volodymyr Zelensky leaves his country to go to one of his greatest allies, Washington.
Announced for the first time this Tuesday night in the US press, this visit was confirmed this Wednesday morning by the White House. The Ukrainian president will be received by his American counterpart Joe Biden at around 2:00 p.m. local time (6:00 p.m. in France). According to the White House program, consulted by BFMTV, the two heads of state will meet privately for two hours, for an “in-depth strategic interview.” Then they will speak to the press, around 4:30 p.m. (10:30 p.m. in France).
New US military aid
According to a senior US official told AFP, information confirmed by the White House, the United States will announce “significant” new aid to Ukraine, “almost 2 billion dollars”, which includes in particular the next delivery of a battery of Patriot missiles. , an advanced air defense equipment, to put an end to Russia’s “barbaric attacks”, which multiplies missile raids.
Also according to this senior US official, the Ukrainian army will have to be trained in handling this sophisticated machine, which will be done “in a third country” – probably Germany, according to Reuters – and “it will take some time.”
To close this visit, which has already been described as “historic” by the press, Volodymyr Zelensky will speak with the US elected representatives in Congress. US lawmakers are preparing to vote on a massive new support package for Ukraine worth nearly $45 billion.
Washington reaffirms its support
For the White House, the visit of the Ukrainian president, whose country has been at war for 300 days, shows that Washington will support his country “as long as it is necessary, providing economic, humanitarian and military assistance.” The opportunity for the United States to reaffirm its “enduring commitment” “together with Ukraine.” Therefore, there is no question of encouraging the Ukrainian president to negotiate with Vladimir Putin.
“The president does not come with a message to pressure or incite Zelensky to do anything. It will be a message of solidarity and support, coordination and alignment,” said the US source.
The possibility of this trip was raised between the two presidents on December 11, during a telephone conversation. Volodymyr Zelensky accepted the invitation from the White House on Friday and his visit was confirmed on Sunday.
During a trip to the Eastern Front on Tuesday, in the town of Bakhmout, the Ukrainian president had already somewhat lifted the veil: receiving a flag from the fighters, he had declared:
“We are going to give it to the United States Congress, to the President of the United States. We are grateful for his support, but it is not enough ”.
The United States, by far Kyiv’s earliest backers, has already provided, according to expert estimates, nearly $50 billion in aid to the warring country, including $20 billion in weapons and military assistance.
Source: BFM TV
