Zelenskiy’s high-security travels to Washington By Reuters

By Steve Holland, Kanishka Singh and Humeyra Pamuk

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy’s shock go to to Washington, his first abroad journey since Russia invaded his nation 300 days in the past, began with a secretive practice trip to Poland late on Tuesday.

The following morning, he arrived within the southern Polish metropolis of Przemysl, the place he was noticed on the practice station based on footage from non-public broadcaster TVN, together with U.S. ambassador to Ukraine Bridget Brink, who accompanied him.

Zelenskiy’s go to had been deliberate for days and arranged in secret due to considerations about his security, however particulars had been tweeted on Tuesday by a reporter from U.S.-based publication Punchbowl Information.

In Poland, he boarded a U.S. authorities aircraft which landed at about midday EST (1700 GMT) on Wednesday at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland, some 12 miles southeast of Washington.

He traveled by motorcade to Blair Home, the presidential visitor home alongside Pennsylvania Avenue, and after freshening up from his journey, he traveled to the close by White Home, the place he was greeted by President Joe Biden and his spouse Jill Biden.

Somewhat than a go well with and tie, Zelenskiy wore his signature military inexperienced sweater and cargo pants, a grim reminder that he got here immediately from a battle zone.

There was no “mathematical method” for the precise day for Zelenskiy to make this journey, a senior Biden administration official informed reporters late on Tuesday, however added that the journey could be “an vital injection of momentum and sustenance” to U.S. and allied assist as winter units in.

The administration consulted carefully with Zelenskiy on the “safety parameters” of him with the ability to go away Ukraine and go to america briefly and return, stated the official, talking on the situation of anonymity.

“After all, it finally was his determination to make. He concluded that these safety parameters had been met. What he wanted, we agreed with that, and so we’re executing accordingly,” the official stated.

PATRIOT MISSILES IN AID PACKAGE

Ukraine in current weeks has come underneath intense Russian missile and drone bombardment to disrupt its vitality infrastructure, leaving hundreds of thousands of individuals with out electrical energy or operating water in winter. Ukraine sometimes experiences lengthy, chilly winters with imply temperatures a number of levels beneath zero Celsius and lows all the way down to -20 Celsius.

Moments earlier than Zelenskiy arrived, the U.S. State Division introduced the newest package deal of safety help to Ukraine value $1.85 billion and together with Patriot missiles, deemed to be some of the superior U.S. air protection methods.

On the White Home, Zelenskiy held talks with Biden and his high nationwide safety aides, earlier than taking part in a joint information convention with Biden within the East Room, which was decked out with festive vacation decorations.

He then was continuing to Capitol Hill to satisfy Home of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi and different lawmakers, and deal with a joint assembly of the U.S. Senate and Home.

Zelenskiy’s lower than 12-hour go to got here collectively largely over the previous two weeks after the 2 leaders mentioned Zelenskiy coming over in a Dec. 11 cellphone name. The White Home three days later prolonged a proper invitation to him, the U.S. official stated.

Zelenskiy accepted the invitation final Friday and the go to was confirmed on Sunday.

At their information convention, Biden stated it was vital to have Zelenskiy go to “to look you within the eye.”

“President Zelenskiy, I am honored to welcome you again to the White Home,” stated Biden.