All news
Updated at: 

Zelensky to deliver speech to US Congress during US visit on December 21

Details of the speech program of the Ukrainian leader are not specified

WASHINGTON, December 21. /TASS/. Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky will visit Washington on Wednesday, December 21, to deliver a speech to members of the US House of Representatives and the Senate, the Axios news portal said citing own sources.

The schedule of the Ukrainian leader’s visit to the US capital is unknown, but it was reported that the US Capitol Police are already beefing up security in the run-up to the visit. At the same time, Axios sources emphasize that "the trip is dependent on security."

The Ukrainian president is expected to thank US lawmakers for the country’s military aid to the Kiev government, worth billions of dollars by now, and will request additional financing.

It will be Zelensky’s first visit to the United States since the start of Russia’s special military operation in Ukraine on February 24.

In a letter to colleagues on Tuesday, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi asked "all Members to be physically present at our session Wednesday night" adding that it will be "a very special focus on Democracy."

Other US media outlets, including The Hill, have also confirmed ongoing preparations for Zelensky’s visit.

So far, the White House has not replied to a TASS request for a comment on whether US President Joe Biden was planning to meet with his Ukrainian counterpart.