Ukraine’s first lady, Olena Zelenska, is in the United States for a series of high-level meetings and an address to Congress
o Ukraine’s first lady, Olena Zelenska, is in the US to attend a number of high-level meetings and an address to Congress.
o Her attendance comes four months after her husband, President Volodymyr Zelensky, delivered a virtual speech to Congress, pressing for a spike in military equipment.
Ukraine’s first lady, Olena Zelenska, is in the United States for a series of high-level meetings and an address to Congress. Her trip to the country comes four months after her husband, President Volodymyr Zelensky, delivered a virtual speech to Congress, calling for more military equipment.
Ms. Zelenska met with the Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Samantha Power, the administrator of the U.S Agency for International Development on Monday, and will hold talks with first lady Jill Biden on Tuesday, the White House said. Ms. Zelenska is also scheduled to discuss thoughts with lawmakers on Wednesday at 11 a.m., House Speaker Nancy Pelosi stated.
Mr. Blinken confirmed on Twitter. He said he met with Ukraine’s First Lady Olena Zelenska to talk about the heavy humanitarian costs levied by President Vladimir Putin’s war. He said that the United States will stay committed to helping the people of Ukraine defend their own from Russia, ensure justice, and rebuild their nation.
Ms Zelenska met the Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Monday and is due to hold talks with her counterpart Jill Biden on Tuesday, the White House confirmed. She is also due to deliver her thoughts to lawmakers on Capitol Hill on Wednesday. Tuesday’s meeting will be the second time the two first ladies have gathered, after Dr Biden paid an unprecedented visit to Ukraine in May.
Dr. Biden reached out to Ms. Zelenska in May when the United States first lady made an unannounced visit to Ukraine.
Ms Zelenska does not have an official portfolio with the Ukrainian government but after about five months of being at war with Russia’s, Kyiv is keen to attain more military aid and political backing from the US. Congress has approved nearly $40 billion so far in the form of aid to Ukraine that is due to be fully transferred by the end of September.
On Monday, Ms Zelenska also met Samantha Power, the head of the US Agency for International Development. The Agency has reportedly given billions of dollars in support of Ukraine’s government and for the purpose of humanitarian needs, it is also working towards tackling the global food shortage which has been worsened by Russia’s war.
Zelenska’s husband, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, virtually addressed Congress in March, pressing for greater supply of military gear. Meanwhile the first lady is in Washington as the U.S. is in the midst of transferring about $40 billion in humanitarian aid approved by Congress and is expected to be fully delivered to Ukraine by the end of September.
Russian forces have been firing missiles and shells at towns and cities across Ukraine after Russia’s military announced it was heightening its onslaught upon its neighbour. Ukraine has reported at least 17 and more civilians killed in the attacks. Meanwhile, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu has given instructions to intensify the actions of Russian units in all operational areas in order to curb backfiring from the Kyiv regime, setting off rocket and artillery strikes on civilian infrastructure and residential settlements in Donbas and other areas.
Russian missiles hit industrial facilities in southern Ukraine Sunday as Moscow continues its efforts to expand its onslaught towards the country’s east. Mykolaiv Mayor Oleksandr Senkevych confirmed that Russian missiles struck an industrial and infrastructure facility within the city, an important shipbuilding centre in the Southern Bug river.
