Pardafas Reporter
Olena Zelenska's visit to Washington comes after nearly five months of war in Ukraine
Olena Volodymyrivna Zelenska, a Ukrainian architect, and screenwriter who is the First Lady of Ukraine and the wife of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is in the US for a series of high-level meetings and an address to Congress.
Zelenska was greeted at the White House by President Joe Biden and Jill Biden. The President handed a large bouquet of flowers to Zelenska when she got out of the car and the two first ladies hugged.
Her visit comes four months after her husband, President Volodymyr Zelensky, made a virtual speech to Congress, pressing for more military equipment.
Olena Zelenska, met with Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Monday as she began a series of high-profile appearances in Washington.
Feels strange – not to hear any sirens. At the @FLOTUS invitation, I arrived to the USA to discuss our needs in the fight against the aggressor. It is also the topic of the meeting with @SecBlinken. His position remains the same: independent 🇺🇦 will exist much longer than Putin. pic.twitter.com/dTUA8QtFk9
— Олена Зеленська (@ZelenskaUA) July 19, 2022
Blue and yellow Ukrainian flags flew alongside American ones on Pennsylvania Avenue as Zelenska headed for her first announced event in the United States, the meeting with Blinken.
During the bilateral meeting, they discussed how the United States can continue to alleviate suffering through support and humanitarian assistance to the Ukrainian people, and the need to hold accountable those responsible for war crimes and other atrocities."
Ukrainians remain themselves even while being far away from home – proven by 🇺🇦 community in the USA. For 5 months, they have been volunteering to help their homeland and compatriots. When wheat spikes are held together, they cannot be broken – so we won’t be broken either. 2/2 pic.twitter.com/vpLbLfrlmX
— Олена Зеленська (@ZelenskaUA) July 19, 2022
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.
Biden and Zelenska first met in person in May, when Biden made a stealth trip to Ukraine. The first ladies had been in communication prior to their meeting, which was the first time Zelenska emerged from hiding since the start of the Russian invasion in February.
During their one-hour closed meeting, Zelenska shared with Biden her concerns for the emotional health of Ukrainian children.
