Ukraine's Zelenskyy tells Congress: 'We are united ... the entire free world'

Earlier Wednesday, Zelenskyy met with President Joe Biden at the White House.

ByLibby Cathey, Alexandra Hutzler, and Isabella Murray
Last Updated: December 22, 2022, 7:54 AM EST

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy made a dramatic visit to Washington Wednesday -- his first known trip outside Ukraine since the Russian invasion began in February.

He met with President Joe Biden at the White House and later addressed Congress as lawmakers are set to vote on $45 billion more in emergency aid as part of a larger spending package. Biden on Wednesday also announced the U.S. will send Ukraine a Patriot anti-missile battery to defend against devastating Russian attacks.

In a virtual address to U.S. lawmakers back in March, Zelenskyy emotionally pleaded for more aggressive measures to help fight the war. Invoking key American tragedies, including Pearl Harbor and the Sept. 11 attacks, Zelenskyy told members at the time, "Just remember it … Our country experiences the same every day right now."

Here is how the story developed:

All times Eastern.
Dec 21, 2022, 11:24 AM EST

Zelenskyy visits Washington as additional Ukraine aid looms

Zelenskyy's trip to Washington comes as Biden will announce a "significant new package" of nearly $2 billion in security assistance for Ukraine, which includes a Patriot missile defense battery that Zelenskyy has been requesting, a senior administration official told ABC News.

"We will train Ukrainian forces on how to operate the Patriot missile battery in a third country. This will take some time, but Ukrainian troops will take that training back to their country to operate this battery."

President Joe Biden and Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Ukraine's president, meet in the Oval Office of the White House, Sept. 1, 2021.
Bloomberg via Getty Images

The visit also comes as Congress weighs $45 billion in funding for Ukraine. When asked how much of this visit is also about Biden sending a message to the new GOP-controlled House on the need for US to keep the aid for Ukraine flowing, they said this is not about politics.

"This isn't about sending a message to a particular political party, this is about sending a message to Putin and sending a message to the world that America will be there for Ukraine for as long as it takes."

–ABC News' Justin Gomez

Dec 21, 2022, 11:03 AM EST

Pelosi’s formal invitation to Zelenskyy to address joint meeting of Congress

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi sent a letter Tuesday formally inviting Zelenskyy to address lawmakers on Capitol Hill.

"It is with immense respect and admiration for your extraordinary leadership that I extend on behalf of bipartisan Congressional leadership an invitation to address a Joint Meeting of Congress on Wednesday, December 21, 2022," Pelosi wrote.

Pelosi said Zelenskyy's "courageous, patriotic, indefatigable leadership has rallied not only your people, but the world, to join the frontlines of the fight for freedom."

A worker installs Ukrainian and U.S. flags near the U.S. Capitol ahead of a visit by Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for talks with President Joe Biden and an address to a joint meeting of Congress, Dec. 21, 2022, in Washington.
Kevin Lamarque/Reuters

"The fight for Ukraine is the fight for democracy itself," the letter read. "We look forward to hearing your inspiring message of unity, resilience and determination."

Pelosi and a small group of Democratic lawmakers met with Zelenskyy in Kyiv in May to reiterate support for Ukraine.

Dec 21, 2022, 11:00 AM EST

Zelenskyy's schedule in Washington

Zelenskyy shared he was on his way to the U.S. early Tuesday morning, describing the trip as a way to strengthen the resilience and defense capabilities of Ukraine.

"I hope you're having a good flight, Volodymyr. I'm thrilled to have you here. Much to discuss," Biden responded on Twitter.

The Ukrainian president will be greeted by Biden at the White House South Lawn at 2 p.m.

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy walks on a train platform surrounded by servicemen, Dec. 21, 2022, in Poland.
TVN24/AFP via Getty Images

The two leaders will then hold a bilateral meeting in the Oval Office at 2:30. Zelenskyy last visited Biden at the White House in September 2021, just months before Russia's invasion began.

Zelenskyy and Biden will participate in a joint press conference in the East Room at 4:30 p.m. before Zelenskyy travels to Capitol Hill to address lawmakers.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said the joint meeting of Congress is expected to start at 7:30 p.m.

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