Support promises and aid package: highlights from Zelenskyy’s US visit

During his week-long visit to the United States, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with two presidential candidates – Donald Trump and current Vice President Kamala Harris – as well as outgoing President Joe Biden.

In addition, he held discussions with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, French President Emmanuel Macron, the British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and leaders from other countries. The talks focused on increasing military aid to Ukraine and lifting restrictions on long-range strikes within Russia.

$7.9 billion in aid: meeting with Biden

Zelenskyy met with Biden at the White House on Sept. 26 during which the Ukrainian president presented Kyiv’s victory plan in the war. 

“Russia will not prevail. Ukraine will prevail, and we’ll continue to stand by you every step of the way,” Biden stated.

For nearly three years, the U.S. has united the world to support the people of Ukraine defending their freedom against Russian aggression, Biden said. 

“It has been a top priority of my Administration to provide Ukraine with the support it needs to prevail,” he added.

The U.S. president also announced a total of $7.9 billion in American assistance to Ukraine as part of the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative.

“But there is more work to do. That is why, today, I am announcing a surge in security assistance for Ukraine and a series of additional actions to help Ukraine win this war,” a White House statement said.

Biden also mentioned that the U.S. would strengthen Ukraine’s position in upcoming negotiations regarding its defense.

‘Steadfast support’: meeting with Vice President Kamala Harris

During a meeting with presidential hopeful and Vice President Kamala Harris, Zelenskyy thanked her for participating in the first Peace Summit that Ukraine organized and for her steadfast support of Ukraine. The Ukrainian president also presented Harris with the victory plan, as stated on the President’s Office website.

Harris noted that this was her seventh meeting with Zelenskyy and assured him of unwavering support for Ukraine. The U.S. will continue to provide the security assistance necessary for Ukraine’s victory, she said.

“We must defend our democratic values and stand up to aggressors. And we must stand for international order, rules, and norms. Each one of these principles is at stake in Ukraine, and that is why Ukraine’s fight matters to the people of America,” Harris said.

During the meeting, Zelenskyy also called for strengthening Ukraine’s air defense and increasing pressure on Russia. 

“We need to keep sanctions against Russia strong, and we need to use the proceeds from immobilized Russian assets to protect Ukraine, our people, our cities, our frontline from Russian evil. And of course we must work hard to bring all Russian war criminals to justice,” Zelenskyy stated.

‘We’re going to get it resolved very quickly’: details of Trump and Zelenskyy’s conversation

Despite media reports suggesting that former U.S. President Donald Trump had no plans to meet with the Ukrainian president, the two met on Sept. 27 in New York. The Republican candidate reiterated his statement that he could quickly end the war in Ukraine if elected.

Trump said he has a very good relationship with Zelenskyy. 

“I also have a very good relationship as you know with President [Vladimir] Putin and I think if we win [the election] we’re going to get it resolved very quickly,” he said.

Zelenskyy emphasized that Ukraine must emerge victorious. 

“I think we have a common view that the war in Ukraine has to be stopped. Putin can’t win. And Ukrainians have to prevail. And I want to discuss with you the details of our Plan for Victory,” he said before the meeting.

In Ukraine, there is an understanding that “we will not stop Putin by November” and that they are counting on U.S. support, Zelenskyy added. The president also once again invited Trump to Ukraine.

“I will. It’s a beautiful country, beautiful weather, beautiful, beautiful, everything,” Trump replied.