Ukraine war: First lady in US for high-level meetingson July 19, 2022 at 9:31 am

- Advertisement -
- Advertisement -
- Advertisement -
- Advertisement -

Olena Zelenska will address Congress in person on Wednesday, four months after her husband’s virtual speech.

Olena Zelenska with bodyguard in Washington, 18 July 2022Image source, Reuters

Ukraine’s first lady, Olena Zelenska, is in the US for a series of high-level meetings and an address to Congress.

Her visit comes four months after her husband, President Volodymyr Zelensky, made a virtual speech to Congress, pressing for more military equipment.

Ms Zelenska met Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Monday and is due to hold talks with her counterpart Jill Biden on Tuesday, the White House said.

She is due to deliver remarks to lawmakers on Capitol Hill on Wednesday.

Tuesday’s encounter will be the second time the two first ladies have met, after Dr Biden made an unannounced visit to Ukraine in May.

Ms Zelenska has no official portfolio in the Ukrainian government. But after nearly five months of Russia’s war in Ukraine, Kyiv is keen to seek more military aid and political backing from the US.

Congress has already approved nearly $40bn (£33bn) in aid to Ukraine that is due to be fully delivered by the end of September.

On Monday, Ms Zelenska also met Samantha Power, head of the US Agency for International Development.

The agency has given billions of dollars to support Ukraine’s government and for humanitarian needs, as well as working to tackle a global food shortage aggravated by Russia’s war.

- Advertisement -

Discover

Sponsor

Latest

In Pictures: G7 leaders attend a summit in Cornwallon June 11, 2021 at 8:27 am

World leaders are arriving in Cornwall for three days of talks and the occasional trip to the beach.World leaders are arriving in Cornwall for...

German Covid Easter U-turn shakes Merkel’s cool, calm imageon March 27, 2021 at 1:14 am

Chancellor Merkel takes political flak as Germany struggles to agree on lockdown measures.image copyrightGetty ImagesIt's not often a world leader insists so openly on...

Jeremy Bowen on reporting from Ukraine’s frontlineon November 3, 2022 at 11:53 pm

We hear from the BBC’s international editor about the difficulties of reporting from the frontline.We hear from the BBC’s international editor about the difficulties...

Boris Johnson: MPs to conclude Partygate inquiryon June 12, 2023 at 1:56 am

Mr Johnson quit as an MP dramatically on Friday, branding the Privileges Committee a "kangaroo court".Image source, PA MediaMPs investigating whether Boris Johnson misled...

The Amazon reef that may be threatened by oil drillingon December 17, 2022 at 8:17 pm

Scientists say a rare reef habitat near the mouth of the Amazon is at risk from oil exploration.Scientists say a rare reef habitat near...