In historic address, Ukraine's Zelenskyy tells Congress: 'We are united ... the entire free world'
Earlier Wednesday, Zelenskyy met with President Joe Biden at the White House.
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:
- A gift for Congress: Ukrainian flag from soldiers
- Zelenskyy's speech welcomed by numerous ovations
- 'The light of our faith in ourselves will not be put out'
- Zelenskyy begins speech: 'Dear Americans ... Ukraine is alive and kicking'
- Top congressional leaders meet behind closed doors with Zelenskyy
- Biden defends sending Patriot missile defense system: 'Not escalatory'
Biden, Zelenskyy to hold White House news conference as Congress weighs aid to Ukraine
Zelenskyy and Biden are scheduled to hold a joint news conference in the White House East Room at 4:30 p.m. before Zelenskyy travels to Capitol Hill to address lawmakers at 7:30 p.m.
The high-security trip to Washington comes as Biden announced another $2 billion package in security assistance for Ukraine, which includes a Patriot missile defense system Zelenskyy had been requesting.
The visit also comes as Congress weighs $45 billion in funding for Ukraine, which has met resistance from some House Republicans. Asked how much of the visit is about Biden sending a message them, the White House said it's not about politics, despite the timing.
"This isn't about sending a message to a particular political party," said a senior administration official. "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
McCarthy tells ABC News he’ll attend Zelenskyy’s address to Congress
House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy -- who has previously signaled his reluctance to further back Ukrainian aid as the country fends off a Russian invasion -- told ABC News he would attend the Ukrainian president's address to Congress this evening.
"Well, by going to the Zelenskyy speech, we'd be listening to it," he said in remarks to reporters.
"We'll meet with him privately," he added.
McCarthy oversees some conservative members of the House Republican caucus who have ardently opposed additional funding for Ukraine and has himself spoken out against providing a "blank check" for the county without an audit of how it's spending the billions in U.S. aid.
Before his remarks, it was unclear if McCarthy would attend.
–ABC News' Trish Turner
Zelenskyy presents Biden with Ukrainian soldier's award
As they spoke at the White House, Zelenskyy presented Biden with an award given to a Ukrainian soldier. The soldier wanted the president to have it, Zelenskyy explained.
"He's very brave," Zelenskyy said of the soldier, who he said is a captain of an HIMARS battery -- an advanced rocket system sent by the U.S. "And he said, 'give it to a very brave president.'"
Biden then asked for the solider's name and if there was any way to contact him.
"Undeserved but much appreciated," Biden said, adding he would give the captain a challenge coin.
Zelenskyy thanks Biden, 'ordinary' Americans for support
In front of a roaring fire inside the Oval Office and flanked by reporters, Zelenskyy thanked President Biden for the support of the United States, which Biden said now includes a Patriot missile defense system and precision bomb kits.
"Thank you so much. Mr. President. Great honor for me to be here, with your journalists. Thank you so much for the invitation," Zelenskyy said. "I really wanted to come earlier, Mr. President knows, but I couldn't do it because the situation was so difficult."
Zelenskyy thanked Biden for his "big support and leadership," as well as the "ordinary" American people for standing with Ukraine.
"Thanks from our ordinary people to your ordinary people -- Americans -- I really appreciate." Zelenskyy said. "Thank you so much."