The meeting between the Presidents of the United States and Ukraine took place at the White House in Washington on December 21, 2022, the first face-to-face meeting since Russia’s large-scale invasion of Ukraine. Joe Biden welcomed Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the entrance to the residence of the US President.
Source: The President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the President of the USA Joe Biden
The President of Ukraine is making his first foreign visit since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine began on February 24, 2022, specifically to the United States, to thank a key ally of Ukraine for its support during more than 300 days of full-scale war.
“During 300 days of this war, we have really begun a new stage in our relations – Ukraine and the USA – we have reached the level of real alliance, which is 100% filled with real content. I felt it today in all my meetings, in all our negotiations. I want to thank Mr President Biden once again for his sincere support and, most importantly, his understanding of Ukraine. And also for building and maintaining an international coalition to strengthen the international legal order,” explained Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy informed the American side about the situation on the battlefield and in the energy sector, as well as Ukraine’s needs for the return of the Russian-occupied territories.
Ukraine’s President also called for stronger sanctions against Russia to make it feel how destructive its aggression is and to help bring to justice all those who waged this war.
“Russia must be held to account for everything it does against our state, against our people, against all of Europe and the free world,” the President of Ukraine emphasized.
Ukrainian President said that the main issue of all his negotiations in the USA was the strengthening of Ukraine, the next year, and the movement towards victory in the war for independence.
The US President, for his part, noted that Volodymyr Zilenskyy’s visit to Washington now is crucial so that Americans and the entire world can hear directly about the support and help that Ukraine requires in 2023.
Joe Biden announced the allocation of $1.85 billion in military aid to Ukraine during the negotiations. The US President emphasized that the USA would provide Ukraine with a Patriot missile battery to strengthen its air defense.
“It includes both direct supplies of equipment that Ukraine needs and contracts for the supply of ammunition that Ukraine will critically need in the coming months for its artillery, tanks and missile launchers,” clarified Joe Biden.
In addition, the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy addressed both houses of the United States Congress.
“I thank Joe Biden for the warm welcome and I deeply appreciate all the support of the U.S. and the American people. I am confident that together we will be able to secure a better, prosperous and free future for both of our nations. Ukraine’s victory will also be America’s victory,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy concluded on Twitter.
See also: US will provide Ukraine with nearly $2B aid package, which includes Patriot air defense systems
