Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is scheduled to visit the White House next week and meet with both President Biden and Vice President Harris to discuss the current status of the war with Russia.
Zelensky is scheduled to visit the White House on Thursday, September 26, and White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Zelensky will meet separately with Biden and Democratic presidential nominee Harris.
“The leaders will discuss the current status of the Russian-Ukrainian war, including Ukraine's strategic plan and U.S. support for Ukraine's defense against Russian aggression,” Jean-Pierre said in a statement. “The president and vice president will emphasize their unwavering commitment to support Ukraine until it wins this war.”
The Biden administration has made aid to Ukraine and encouraging allies to back Kyiv in its war with Russia a centerpiece of its foreign policy. The United States has provided Ukraine with weapons and financial aid since Russian forces invaded the country in early 2022.
The administration has asked Congress to extend the president's budget cut authority for arms sales to Ukraine through 2025, allowing about $5.8 billion to be made available after the end of the current fiscal year on September 30.
Harris swore Ongoing support Harris, who would become Ukraine's president if elected in November, has met with Zelenskiy on multiple occasions as vice president. Both she and Biden have warned that a Russian victory in Ukraine could lead to a wider conflict in Europe.
Former President Trump has claimed without evidence that if he won in November he could end the Russia-Ukraine war before he was sworn in. During last week's presidential debate, Trump repeatedly refused to say whether it was in the U.S.'s interest for Ukraine to win the war.
“I think it's in the best interest of the United States to end this war and get it over with. Got it? Let's negotiate a deal,” Trump said.
