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The Ukraine president, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, has travelled to the US in his first foreign visit since Russia’s war on Ukraine to secure support for his war effort well into next year. Joe Biden told Zelenskiy that “it’s an honour to be by your side” and promised he “will never stand alone” as the US president pledged continued financial, military and humanitarian aid for Ukraine. The two leaders held a joint news conference before heading to Capitol Hill to address a joint session of the US Senate and House of Representatives.
In an address to Congress, Zelenskiy said Ukraine “will never surrender” as he reiterated how his country and the US “are allies in this battle”. “Next year will be a turning point, the point when Ukrainian courage and American resolve will guarantee Ukrainian freedom, the freedom of people who stand for their values,” Zelenskiy said. “The Russian tyranny has lost control over us,” he added. “Against all odds and doom and gloom, Ukraine didn’t fall. Ukraine is alive and kicking.”
Zelenskiy also sought to persuade Republican lawmakers to continue to fund his country’s defence against Russia. “Your money is not charity. It’s an investment in the global security and democracy that we handle in the most responsible way,” he said.
The White House has pledged a new $1.58bn aid package to Ukraine and will send advanced Patriot missile batteries to the war-torn country, saying the assistance will be vital to stop Russia’s “barbaric” rocket attacks on critical infrastructure.
