© Reuters. FILE PHOTO: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy is embraced by U.S. President Joe Biden in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, September 21, 2023. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque/File Photo
WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. President Joe Biden has invited Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskiy to a Dec. 12 meeting at the White House to discuss the ongoing war against Russia and the “vital importance” of continued U.S. support of their defense efforts.
In a statement on Sunday, the White House said the two will discuss Ukraine’s “urgent needs” facing Ukraine, and comes as the White House looks to strike an agreement with Congress that would provide military aid for Ukraine and Israel.
Zelenskiy’s office also said on Sunday on the Telegram messaging app that the Ukrainian leader would arrive in Washington on Monday and that he would meet Biden during a working visit that would include “a series of meetings and discussions.”
Zelenskiy has also been invited to address U.S. senators on Tuesday at 9 a.m. EST (1400 GMT) in the Capitol, a Senate leadership aide said on Sunday.
Key topics during Zelenskiy’s visit would include defense cooperation between the U.S. and Ukraine, “particularly through joint projects on the production of weapons and air defense systems, as well as the coordination of efforts between our countries in the coming year,” Zelenskiy’s office said.
