Ukraine's Zelenskyy Meets Biden, Addresses US Congress

Ukraine's Zelenskyy Meets Biden, Addresses US Congress

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited the United States Wednesday. It was Zelenskyy's first known trip outside his home country since Russia invaded in February.

U.S. President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden welcomed Zelenskyy, who wore his usual army green clothing, at the White House.

Biden told Zelenskyy that, "It's an honor to be by your side." He added that the U.S. and Ukraine would continue to project a "united defense¹" against Russia.

The Ukrainian president thanked Biden, U.S. lawmakers and the "ordinary people" of America for their support. Zelenskyy said he wanted to visit earlier, and his visit now showed the "situation is under control, because of your support." The American president then put his arm around Zelenskyy as they went inside for a meeting in the Oval Office.

At the joint² news conference in the White House, Biden noted³ that Zelenskyy's visit came on the 300th day of Russia's invasion. He said, "As we head into the New Year, it's important for the American people, and for the world, to hear directly from you Mr. President about Ukraine's fight and the need to continue to stand together through 2023."

The Ukrainian President thanked Biden and the U.S. Congress for their continued support. He added Biden's efforts to bring international and allied⁴ support for Ukraine were important.

Zelenskyy said he "really wants" to win the war against Russia with U.S. and allied support before adding that he is "sure" Ukraine will win. He said that he wanted Americans to know that "we really fight for our common victory against this tyranny."

Zelenskyy then left for the U.S. Capitol where he was to address a joint session of Congress in the evening.

Zelenskyy headed to the United States after visiting troops Tuesday on the front line in the city of Bakhmut in Ukraine's disputed Donetsk area. He crossed into Poland early Wednesday before flying to Washington on a U.S. Air Force plane. The U.S. also worked with Zelenskyy on security, including the risk of Russian action while he was out of the country, a U.S. official told reporters.

Just before Zelenskyy's arrival, the U.S. announced $1.85 billion in U.S. military aid to Ukraine. The aid included the Patriot⁵ missile defense system and precision-guided bombs for its jetfighters. The Patriot missile is one of the most modern U.S. air defense systems. It can protect against attacking aircraft as well as cruise and ballistic missiles.

The U.S. Congress is also considering a vote on another spending measure that includes about $45 billion in emergency assistance to Ukraine.

Volodymyr Fesenko is head of the Penta Center in Kyiv. He said Zelenskyy's visit to the U.S. "should determine the course of the war — Zelenskyy for the first time dared to leave Ukraine and is counting on being able to maintain, and possibly even strengthen, U.S. military and economic assistance."

Hanna Danylovych lives in Kyiv and works as a scientist. Danylovych welcomed the promise of additional military supplies. Danylovych said, "There is a great desire and dream to speed up the removal of Russian evil from our land."

Words in This Story

ordinary –n. not unusual, different or special

tyranny –v. cruel and unfair treatment by people with power over others

ballistic missile –n. a rocket able to travel a long distance with a powerful explosive

determine –v. to decide

dare –v. to have the courage to do something

1 defense   

n.防御，保卫；[pl.]防务工事；辩护，答辩

参考例句：

• The accused has the right to defense.被告人有权获得辩护。
• The war has impacted the area with military and defense workers.战争使那个地区挤满了军队和防御工程人员。

2 joint   

adj.联合的，共同的；n.关节，接合处；v.连接，贴合

参考例句：

• I had a bad fall,which put my shoulder out of joint.我重重地摔了一跤，肩膀脫臼了。
• We wrote a letter in joint names.我们联名写了封信。

3 noted   

adj.著名的，知名的

参考例句：

• The local hotel is noted for its good table.当地的那家酒店以餐食精美而著称。
• Jim is noted for arriving late for work.吉姆上班迟到出了名。

4 allied   

adj.协约国的；同盟国的

参考例句：

• Britain was allied with the United States many times in history.历史上英国曾多次与美国结盟。
• Allied forces sustained heavy losses in the first few weeks of the campaign.同盟国在最初几周内遭受了巨大的损失。

5 patriot   

n.爱国者，爱国主义者

参考例句：

• He avowed himself a patriot.他自称自己是爱国者。
• He is a patriot who has won the admiration of the French already.他是一个已经赢得法国人敬仰的爱国者。