War in Ukraine: Volodymyr Zelensky visiting Washington to consolidate American support

For the Ukrainian president, this displacement is a way of embodying again the cause of his country in the American debate, while a weariness settles in public opinion.

by Piotr Smolar (Washington, correspondent)

This is a spectacular way of marking the 300 e day of war in his country. The Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelensky, is expected in Washington, Wednesday, December 21, for a secret visit until the last moment, and confirmed in the night by a press release from the White House. The manager has made his first trip abroad since the start of the Russian assault on February 24, which originally aimed to dismiss it from power and to take kyiv after a flash operation. This trip therefore constitutes, in itself, a demonstration of the total failure of the Kremlin.

Volodymyr Zelensky must speak with his American counterpart Joe Biden at the White House, before addressing the conference in joint session, in the evening. The Ukrainian leader should thank the parliamentarians for their political and financial support and invite them to continue this effort.

The two presidents were maintained by phone on December 11. The White House had sent a formal invitation three days later. The formalization occurred on December 18, but the preparation of the visit remained confidential until Tuesday evening in Washington.

A little earlier, the Democratic President of the House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi, had reminded in writing to elected officials the importance of their presence at the Capitol from Wednesday, announcing, that evening, a nebulous event focused On “democracy”, without details. Tuesday evening, a senior administration official confirmed to the press the visit of the Ukrainian president by delivering some details. Joe Biden and Volodymyr Zelensky will meet in the White House in the afternoon, surrounded by their closest advisers. The two heads of state must have an “in -depth strategic discussion”, both on the evolution of fighting in the field, the needs of the Ukrainian army, Western support in all its forms and the sanctions decided against the Russia.

Symbolic, political and military importance

Joe Biden and Volodymyr Zelensky have been in contact with countless covers for nine months by screen or interposed phone. They had already met at the White House on September 1, 2021, when the attention of the American administration was still focused on the chaotic and controversial withdrawal of Afghanistan. Since the start of the war, on the other hand, it would be a first tête-à-tête between the two presidents, Joe Biden who did not go to kyiv, unlike most Western leaders. >

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