US trip: Selenskyj visits a foreign capital for the first time since the start of the war The death did not shock Trump – and 5 other remarkable Capitol Storm aspects

On Tuesday, the president of Ukraine visited the frontline city of Bakhmut in the Donbass. There, Volodymyr Zelenskyy received a signed flag from Ukrainian soldiers with a wish to take the highly symbolic gift to Washington – in gratitude for the US Congress’ continued support for Ukraine. Zelenskyy promised to pass the flag to President Joe Biden.

This was not an empty promise, as it turned out a few hours later. Because if all goes well, Zelenskyj will be in Washington today, Wednesday. A number of American media reported this on Tuesday with reference to anonymous government employees.

Visit to the White House and Congress

And because this is the Ukrainian president’s first official trip abroad since Russian troops invaded on Feb. 24, Zelensky’s short-trip schedule could be quite full.

The first thing to do is visit the White House, where Zelenskyj wants to talk extensively with Biden, his advisers and cabinet members. It is likely that the US president will reassure his guest that Washington will permanently assist Ukraine.

To reinforce this message of solidarity, Biden will present his Ukrainian counterpart with an early Christmas present on Wednesday. The next US aid package is worth about $1.8 billion and, as announced last week, will include part of the Patriot air defense system.

In the evening, Selenskyj is expected on Capitol Hill, in the US Congress. At the Capitol, the Ukrainian president wants to speak directly with US MPs, who have approved arms sales and remittances to Ukraine totaling more than $65 billion since the war began. Selenskyj will probably emphasize how important this support from Washington is to his country and expressly thank the Democrats and Republicans present.

Outgoing Speaker Nancy Pelosi, the real lady of the House of Representatives, promised an evening “with a very special focus on democracy” in an announcement.

Parliament is discussing a new €1 billion aid package

The timing of this symbolic speech could not have been better chosen. Because the Senate started on Tuesday with the debate on the spending resolution for the current US fiscal year, which runs until September 30, 2023. Part of this monster package is further support payments for Ukraine of at least $ 45 billion. (That’s a larger loan than the Biden administration requested.)

The package easily cleared the first hurdle in a test vote on Tuesday, despite heavy criticism from right-wing Republicans. Because the right-wing party will not achieve a majority in the House of Representatives until January, the Democrats want to approve the package before Christmas.

Zelenskyj’s trip carries great risks and the Ukrainian president will probably only be in Washington for a few hours on balance. The trip to Washington is also meant to symbolize that Ukraine is on the rise in the run-up to the first Christmas of war and the president no longer needs to hide. (aargauerzeitung.ch)