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

Energy price cap to rise to £2,800 in Octoberon May 24, 2022 at 11:33 am

Industry regulator Ofgem warns households that they should expect higher energy bills.The boss of the UK's energy regulator has warned that the energy price...

Kelsea Moscatel On What It Takes To Be A Star

Snob World co-founder and travel influencer Kelsea Moscatel is giving Cosmopolitan Turkey readers a glimpse into her glamorous lifestyle, appearing on the cover of...

Murray beats Nadal in straight sets at exhibition eventon December 17, 2021 at 7:21 pm

Andy Murray looks sharp as he beats old rival Rafael Nadal in straight sets at the Mubadala World Tennis Championship, an exhibition event in...

‘Every day it doesn’t rain, the pressure mounts’on August 11, 2022 at 1:42 am

The heatwave will make conditions on England's farms worse as experts warn of smaller harvests.David Barton's fields on his farm in Gloucestershire should be...

Luton Town 2-0 Sunderland (Agg 3-2): Hatters power through to play-off finalon May 16, 2023 at 9:33 pm

Luton Town are one win away from a return to the top flight of English football after overturning a first-leg deficit to beat Sunderland...