4 takeaways from Volodymyr Zelensky’s historic visit to Washington

Three-hundred days after his nation was invaded by Russia, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky jetted to Washington, DC, for talks on what the following 300 days would possibly deliver.

Shrouded in secrecy till the final minute, the historic go to was heavy with symbolism, from Zelensky’s drab inexperienced sweatshirt to President Joe Biden’s blue-and-yellow striped tie.

However the journey was about way over symbols. Biden wouldn’t invite Zelensky to Washington – and endure a dangerous journey outdoors Ukraine for the primary time because the conflict started – if he didn’t consider one thing actual could possibly be completed assembly face-to-face as a substitute of over the cellphone.

Rising from their hourslong talks, each males made clear they see the conflict coming into a brand new section. As Russia sends extra troops to the frontlines and wages a brutal air marketing campaign towards civilian targets, fears of a stalemate are rising.

Biden mentioned the US would proceed to face with Ukraine “by means of 2023,” the clearest indication but he doesn’t see the battle ending anytime quickly.

Gaining readability on the place Zelensky stands relating to ending the conflict was among the many prerogatives in bringing him to the White Home. The Ukrainian chief has voiced a want for a “simply peace” that might finish the battle – some extent that US officers mentioned can be on the middle of their talks Wednesday.

Among the many Western nations which have rallied in assist behind Zelensky, there have been lingering considerations about what his long-term plan is likely to be. On Wednesday, he appeared to clarify the highway to ending the conflict wouldn’t contain making concessions to Russia.

“For me as a president, ‘simply peace’ is not any compromises,” he mentioned, indicating he doesn’t see any highway to peace that includes Ukraine giving up territory or sovereignty.

For his half, Biden mentioned it was as much as Zelensky to “resolve how he needs to the conflict to finish,” a long-held view that leaves loads of questions unanswered.

US officers consider it may turn out to be more and more troublesome for Ukraine to retake territory from Russia because it reinforces its positions – resulting in the prospect of a bloody stalemate.

A high Biden aide was agency forward of the assembly that it was not meant for “pushing or prodding or poking Zelensky in any means” towards a selected means of ending the battle.

Initially of Russia’s conflict in Ukraine, Zelensky turned down an American provide to evacuate him from Kyiv.

“I would like ammunition, not a journey,” Zelensky instructed the US.

Ten months later, he acquired each. When Zelensky touched down outdoors Washington in a US army aircraft Wednesday, his arrival capped a 10-day dash by American and Ukrainian officers to rearrange a dangerous wartime go to meant to rally assist for Ukraine’s ongoing resistance to Russia’s invasion.

Simply forward of Zelensky’s arrival, the Biden administration introduced it’s sending practically $2 billion in extra safety help to Ukraine – together with a classy new Patriot air protection system that Zelensky has been requesting for months.

In weighing a go to, Zelensky recommended to advisers he didn’t need to journey to Washington had there not been a big growth within the bilateral relationship with america, in response to a supply acquainted with the matter. Zelensky considered the US determination to ship a Patriot missile protection system to Ukraine as a serious shift within the relationship between the 2 allies.

But standing alongside Biden, he was frank that he didn’t view the one Patriot system as sufficient.

“We wish to get extra Patriots,” he mentioned as Biden laughed. “I’m sorry however we’re in conflict.”

Zelensky’s candid request for extra Patriots – and Biden’s lighthearted response – amounted to a window into one of many world’s most complex relationships.

On the floor, Biden and Zelensky have maintained a stalwart partnership. And Zelensky was effusive in his reward of Biden as he went from the Oval Workplace to the East Room to Capitol Hill.

But it doesn’t take a lot to see tensions simply beneath the floor. Zelensky has constantly agitated for extra US assist, regardless of the tens of billions of {dollars} in army help that Biden has directed to his nation.

That hasn’t all the time sat properly with Biden or his group. However as he has with a number of different international leaders, Biden appeared intent Wednesday on translating bodily proximity into a greater understanding of his counterpart.

“It’s all about trying somebody within the eye. I imply it sincerely. I don’t suppose there may be any substitute for sitting down head to head with a good friend or a foe and searching them within the eye,” he mentioned.

Biden invited Zelensky to Washington this week as a result of he believes the conflict in Ukraine is coming into a “new section,” officers mentioned forward of the go to. As winter units in and Russia continues concentrating on civilian infrastructure, the second appeared ripe for Zelensky to make a dramatic public enchantment for continued worldwide assist.

But the brand new section isn’t solely on the battlefield. All over the world, leaders are confronting the bitter fallout of Russia’s invasion. Larger vitality and meals costs, partly generated by powerful sanctions on Moscow, have prompted bother for politicians in Europe and america.

Retired colonel predicts how Putin will reply to Zelensky’s White Home go to

In Washington, Republicans poised to take management of Congress have made clear they gained’t rubber stamp every of Biden’s requests for Ukraine help – although fears funding will dry up utterly seem unfounded. Congress is on the verge of approving virtually $50 billion in extra safety and financial help.

Nonetheless, some Republicans refused to attend Zelensky’s tackle to Congress, a protest of what they declare are unrestrained {dollars} heading out of the US.

It was towards that backdrop Biden insisted US assist would proceed for months.

He mentioned it was “necessary for the American individuals, and for the world, to listen to immediately from you, Mr. President, about Ukraine’s struggle, and the necessity to proceed to face collectively by means of 2023.”