President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said in a wartime address to a joint session of the U.S. Congress that its support is "critical" to Ukraine's victory as the White House announced a new $1.85 billion security assistance package that includes a Patriot air-defense system.
Zelenskiy In Washington: Biden Pledges 'You Will Never Stand Alone'
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy arrives at the White House in Washington on December 21 to be welcomed by U.S. President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden.
It was the Ukrainian president's first foreign trip since the start of Russia's invasion 10 months ago.
Biden (right) welcomes Zelenskiy at the White House on December 21.
Zelenskiy’s trip to the United States comes as the U.S. Congress prepares to vote on a sweeping spending bill that includes a provision to allocate an estimated $45 billion in additional military aid to Ukraine.
Biden and Zelenskiy hold a joint news conference in the East Room of the White House.
While the aid bill is expected to pass, U.S. support for Ukraine has waned as the war drags on and as Americans feel the pinch from high inflation.
During their Oval Office meeting, Zelenskiy delivered a gift from Ukrainian servicemen serving in the frontline city of Bakhmut to Biden.
Zelenskiy later delivered an emotional wartime appeal to a joint meeting of the U.S. Congress, telling Americans that "your money is not charity" and that his people would persevere on behalf of all free nations against Russia.
Zelenskiy reads from his notes during his address to the U.S. Congress.
U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris (left) and U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi hold an inscribed Ukrainian flag brought by Zelenskiy from Bakhmut.
In his address, Zelenskiy compared the heroism of Ukrainian soldiers defending Bakhmut to that shown by U.S. troops fighting Adolf Hitler’s troops in the Battle of the Bulge in 1944, also during the Christmas season.
"Bakhmut stands," Zelenskiy said to cheers. "Ukraine holds its lines and will never surrender."
A U.S. flag that had flown over the Capitol building earlier in the day in his honor is presented to Zelenskiy by Pelosi.
Zelenskiy concluded his speech with: "Thank you so much, may God protect our brave troops and citizens, may God forever bless the United States of America. Merry Christmas and a happy, victorious New Year. Slava Ukrayini!" (Glory to Ukraine!).
Zelenskiy is given a warm farewell by lawmakers as he leaves the U.S. Congress.