Volodymyr Zelenskyy honors Joe Biden with medal previously held by Ukrainian soldier during US visit
WASHINGTON DC, WASHINGTON: Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy is on his first foreign trip since the Russian invasion. The popular leader who has resolutely fought back against their neighbor is in Washington and took the opportunity to present US President Joe Biden with a cross medal, which was earlier held by one of the Ukrainian military officers. “Undeserved, but much appreciated,” Biden responded to the honor.
As the two leaders sat for their bilateral meeting in the Oval Office, Biden, 80, told 44-year-old Zelensky, "I’m delighted you could make the trip." While speaking in English, Zelensky said it was "a great honor" to be in the White House. Thanking the US for their support towards Ukraine in defending themselves, the Ukrainian president said: "All my appreciations, from my heart, from the heart of Ukrainians -- all Ukrainians." President Biden in his response told President Zelensky that the Ukrainian people "inspire the world" and held President Vladimir Putin of Russia accountable for trying to "use winter as a weapon." Biden pledged his support would continue for "the great people of Ukraine," reports New York Times.
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Presiden Biden, seated next to President Zelensky in the Oval Office: The United States stands with the people of Ukraine and stands with you, a great leader.” pic.twitter.com/QftT9bMLYc
— Phil Mattingly (@Phil_Mattingly) December 21, 2022
President Zelensky on several occasions appealed to the United States to provide more powerful precision weapons, and as he reached the US shores, Biden administration made the official announcement of delivering a powerful Patriot missile defense battery to Ukraine’s military in a new $1.85 billion aid package. Furthermore, the two leaders will discuss the Congress' plans to go ahead with over $40 billion in additional aid to Kyiv, according to New York Post. His visit to the US has been at a critical political juncture as Republican Party takes the control of the house. Some of the opposition party leaders have openly voiced their concern over "funnel assistance" to Ukraine.
Zelensky presents Biden with a military merit badge and a letter from the frontline Ukrainian soldiers now defending Bakhmut, where Ze visited just a day earlier. pic.twitter.com/7JTnwzacL6
— Kevin Rothrock (@KevinRothrock) December 21, 2022
Yevhen Mahda, a political commentator in Kyiv said, "Zelensky should not maneuver between the Democrats and Republicans. He should suggest a new paradigm — the paradigm that Ukraine today is at the epicenter of the battle between good and evil. And by supporting Ukraine, the United States supports good. This is the necessary message,” as the house goes through transition.
During the initial days of the war, the US government offered Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to evacuate from Kyiv, but he declined. He said in a statement as reportedly the Associated Press, “The fight is here; I need ammunition, not a ride." He later said in a video, “I am staying in the government quarters together with others. The enemy has designated me as target number one, and my family as target number two.”