Zelensky to Meet Biden on the 21st... First Visit to the U.S. Since the War Began (Comprehensive)

Meeting with Biden in Washington
Speech at US Congress also scheduled

[Asia Economy Reporter Jo Yoo-jin] Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is visiting the United States for the first time since the outbreak of war with Russia in February and will meet with U.S. President Joe Biden. Attention is focused on whether the U.S. government will announce new military aid commitments to Ukraine, including the Patriot missile defense system it has pledged to send.

According to U.S. political media Axios and CNN on the 20th (local time), President Zelensky is scheduled to meet with President Biden at the White House in Washington on the 21st. This is Zelensky’s first visit abroad since Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24. It is also his first visit to the U.S. since Biden took office.

President Zelensky is also expected to attend and deliver a speech at a House of Representatives session held in the U.S. Congress that evening. Regarding this, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi wrote in a letter to lawmakers, urging them to "attend the Wednesday evening session in person" and to "take part in a meeting with a special focus on democracy."

At this event, President Zelensky is likely to request continued bipartisan military support for Ukraine. The Biden administration has provided $20 billion in military aid since the outbreak of the war, but there is widespread speculation that support policies for Ukraine may face obstacles starting next year when the Republicans become the majority party in the House. On this day, Democrats and Republicans agreed on a 2023 fiscal year budget bill worth $1.7 trillion (approximately 2,183 trillion KRW), which includes $44 billion in aid for Ukraine.

Details of this visit have not yet been disclosed. However, Axios cited sources reporting that the U.S. Capitol Police are increasing security for Zelensky’s visit on the 21st. CNN also reported that Zelensky’s schedule could change due to security concerns.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy participated via video conference in the joint expeditionary force (JEF) summit led by the United Kingdom on the 19th (local time). [Image source=UPI Yonhap News]

Foreign media are paying close attention to whether the U.S. government will announce plans to provide the Patriot missile system during Zelensky’s visit. The New York Times (NYT), citing multiple sources, predicted that new U.S. military aid measures for Ukraine could be announced during the meeting with President Biden. The Associated Press reported that the new military aid package, including the Patriot missile system, could amount to $1.8 billion (approximately 2.3 trillion KRW).

Earlier, major U.S. media outlets reported that the U.S. government has decided to provide Ukraine with the most advanced weapon it has supplied so far?the Patriot missile system?and is finalizing related procedures. The Patriot system is expected to be sent to Ukraine within days after final approval by U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and President Biden.

Ukraine has requested an advanced long-range air defense system from the U.S. in response to Russia’s concentrated attacks on its energy infrastructure since last October using missiles and Iranian-made suicide drones. The Patriot is a surface-to-air missile system designed to intercept short-range ballistic missiles, advanced aircraft, and cruise missiles.

Russian President Vladimir Putin is scheduled to preside over a Defense Ministry meeting on the same day to set military goals for next year. Foreign media have also raised the possibility of an escalation of the Ukraine war due to the involvement of Belarusian forces, so a comprehensive discussion on the Ukraine war is expected during the meeting between the two leaders of the U.S. and Ukraine.