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'
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."
"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.
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.
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.