Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelensky to address US Congress in person Wednesday

WASHINGTON — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is expected to meet with President Biden and host a White House press conference Wednesday before delivering a speech to Congress in first trip outside his country since Russia invaded in February.

Biden will announce the delivery of a powerful Patriot missile defense battery to Ukraine’s military as part of a new $2 billion aid package and discuss plans for Congress to approve another $40 billion in aid.

A senior Biden administration official told reporters during a Tuesday night Zoom meeting that Zelensky will return to Ukraine after just “a few short hours on the ground” in Washington.

Zelensky’s surprise trip to meet with his nation’s most important benefactors was first reported Tuesday afternoon by Punchbowl News. The remarkably late-breaking leak reflected the fact that the agenda for Zelensky’s trip was shared with few US officials.

A source familiar with the plans told The Post that the visit was contingent on Zelensky’s security situation and that the “leaks [are] not helping.”

The senior administration official said the White House extended the invitation to Zelensky last week and that the visit was confirmed Sunday, at which point House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s staff was informed.

“President Biden will announce a significant new package of nearly $2 billion of security assistance for Ukraine,” the official said.

“It will contain a very important new capability, the Patriot missile battery, which will be a critical asset to defend the Ukrainian people against Russia’s barbaric attacks on Ukraine’s critical infrastructure. We will train Ukrainian forces on how to operate the Patriot missile battery in a third country. This will take some time, but Ukrainian troops will take that training back to their country to operate this battery.”

Zelensky has had an occasionally contentious relationship with Biden and previously visited the White House in September 2021. That trip was overshadowed by the prior month’s chaotic US troop withdrawal from Afghanistan.

The 44-year-old Ukrainian president, a former comedian, reportedly refused a US offer to evacuate Kyiv in the opening days of the war, telling American intelligence, “I need ammunition, not a ride.”

Before Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered the invasion on Feb. 24, Biden outraged Ukrainian authorities by saying at a Jan. 19 press conference that NATO would treat a “minor incursion” by Russia differently from a full scale invasion. One Ukrainian official told CNN that it gave a “green light” for Putin to invade, which he did about a month later.

At the time, Zelensky reprimanded Biden in a tweet, writing, “We want to remind the great powers that there are no minor incursions and small nations. Just as there are no minor casualties and little grief from the loss of loved ones. I say this as the President of a great power.”

Biden reportedly further upset Ukrainian officials by warning Zelensky that there was a looming Russian “sack” of Kyiv. The White House denied the accuracy of those reports attributed to Ukrainians.

In a “Dear colleague” letter Tuesday, Pelosi (D-Calif.) encouraged legislators to attend a “special” Wednesday night session of Congress in person, without confirming the Ukrainian leader’s attendance.

“We are ending a very special session of the 117th Congress with legislation that makes progress for the American people as well as support for our Democracy,” she wrote.  “Please be present for a very special focus on Democracy Wednesday night.”

Ukrainian news outlet Ukrinform reported Tuesday that Ukrainian forces outside Bakhmut had presented Zelensky with a signed blue-and-gold flag for US lawmakers during his most recent visit to the front.

“[Defenders] handed over our flag with their signatures,” Zelensky said.

“We have a difficult situation, the enemy is increasing its numbers. Our guys are more courageous and we need reinforced weapons,” he added. “We will convey the words of gratitude from the guys to the Congress, the U.S. President for their support.”

Congress approved $40 billion in Ukraine war aid in May, but fiscal hawks have grown weary of such large spending on an overseas conflict and future spending plans may grow more contentious. 

Biden’s decision to send a Patriot battery to Ukraine is a major step toward preventing Russian bombardment of the country’s infrastructure in an apparent bid to cripple resistance to the invasion, which thus far featured Ukrainians defeating a Russian attempt to seize Kyiv followed by recent Russian retreats in southern and eastern parts of the country.

Ukraine has been asking the US for Patriot systems since the early months of the war because the long-range air defense systems are highly effective at intercepting ballistic and cruise missiles, as well as aircraft, well before they reach their intended targets.

So far, the US has declined Kyiv’s requests, opting instead to send US-manned Patriot batteries to neighboring NATO countries, such as Poland and Slovakia.

The reported change of heart comes as Russia continues its heavy bombardment of civilian infrastructure across Ukraine. Pentagon officials as recently as last week studied the possible move, which would be one of the most significant weapons contributions the US has made since Russia invaded Ukraine on Feb. 24.

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