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Zelensky makes first foreign trip since Russian invasion, visits US, gets more military support
President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine made his first foreign trip since Russia’s invasion, visiting United States (US) on Wednesday.
Zelensky, at the White House in Washington DC, received assurance of more military support and reinforcement from President Joe Biden of the United States.
Biden assured Zelensky, “We’re going to continue to strengthen Ukraine’s ability to defend itself, particularly air defense.”
Biden added, President Vladimir Putin is “trying to use winter as a weapon, but the Ukrainian people continue to inspire the world.
“I mean that sincerely, not just inspire us but inspire the world with their courage and how they have chosen their resilience and resolve for their future.”
Zelensky, is expected to deliver an address to the US Congress, in sealing a new $45 billion package for Ukraine towards the new year.
Zelensky, at the White House, thanked Biden for his “big support and leadership across Europe.”
Zelensky was cited to have said in English, “I think it’s very difficult to understand what does it mean when we say appreciate but you really have to feel it.”
Zelensky, honouring Biden with an award of a “real hero”, signalling a captain on the ground of a HIMARS rocket system that has been a game-changer on the field, noted: “He’s very brave and he said, give it to very brave president.”
The Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Nancy Pelosi, had noted: “It is particularly poignant for me to be present when another heroic leader addresses the Congress in a time of war — and with democracy itself on the line.”
However, Russian spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, warned on Wednesday that new weapons deliveries would lead to an “aggravation of the conflict” and do not “bode well for Ukraine”.
President Vladimir Putin, interacting with senior military officials, had declared: “The combat capabilities of our armed forces are increasing constantly.”
He maintained: Russia will also “improve the combat readiness of our nuclear triad.”
According to Putin, “What is happening is, of course, a tragedy, our shared tragedy. But it is not the result of our policy. It is the result of the policy of third countries.
“We don’t have any limits on funding. The country and the government is giving everything that the army asks for, everything.”
Zelensky flew in an official US government plane with flight-tracking sites showing he took off from Rzeszow, Poland, a town near the Ukrainian border.