Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will visit Washington next week following his appearance at the UN General Assembly, according to three US officials.
Zelensky’s plan to appear in person before the General Assembly on Wednesday, as part of the UN’s annual gathering in New York City, was previously known. But his follow-on trip to Washington — where he is expected to meet with President Joe Biden at the White House and members of Congress on Capitol Hill — has not yet been announced officially.
It comes as the Biden administration works to shore up support in Congress for an additional $24 billion in military and humanitarian aid for Ukraine amid a grinding Ukrainian counteroffensive that has so far yielded disappointing results. Zelensky insists that Ukraine can still make major gains.
Zelensky last visited Washington in December, when he addressed Congress and urged the continued supply of American weapons for his country’s battle against Russia, which is about to enter its 19th month. Since then, anxiety has grown among Ukraine’s supporters as they have watched a decline in US public support for continuing aid to the country.
Zelensky is not expected to make a formal public speech to Congress this time.
New York Times News Service
