Jakarta, CNN Indonesia —
President Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky plans to visit Washington, United States of AmericaWednesday (12/21) this is US time.
Zelensky’s first trip abroad since the Russian invasion of Ukraine has been revealed by three US bureau sources a Associated press.
Not many details about Zelensky’s planned visit to the United States have been revealed due to the sensitivity of the matter. However, Zelensky is said to be addressing the US Congress and meeting with President Joe Biden at the White House.
Sources also said this trip could still be canceled at the last minute due to safety concerns.
If confirmed, Zelensky’s visit comes as the United States is about to authorize further shipments of aid to Ukraine, including defense equipment such as the Patriot missile system that Russia fears.
Reported CnnThe White House declined to comment on Zelensky’s visit. Speaker of the US House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi also said she was unaware of the plan.
“I don’t know what will happen. We don’t know anything yet,” he said.
Zelensky’s visit to Washington will be a significant moment 10 months after Russia invades Ukraine.
This visit also took place as Ukrainian troops reportedly continued to make headway in pushing back the weakening Russian army on the battlefield. Even so, Russia continued to carry out air strikes on a number of Ukrainian territories, including the capital Kiev.
Indeed, since the beginning of September, Ukraine has managed to recapture a large number of areas previously occupied by the Russian army.
This was further reinforced by President Vladimir Putin’s statement that the situation in Ukraine was becoming more difficult.
Putin spoke of the situation in four Ukrainian territories annexed by Russia as Moscow’s forces are weakening in its neighbours.
“The situation in the Donetsk and Luhansk People’s Republics, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions is very difficult,” Putin told Russia’s national security agencies on Tuesday (12/20), as quoted AFP extension.
Putin stressed the officers working in the four areas.
“The people who live there, Russian citizens, are counting on you, your protection,” he said.
(rds)
