Photos: Zelensky's wartime visit to US
President Volodymyr Zelensky addresses Congress as Rep. Nancy Pelosi and Vice President Kamala Harris hold up a Ukrainian national flag signed by Ukrainian soldiers at the Capitol in Washington on Wednesday, December 21.
Mandel Ngan/AFP/Getty Images

In pictures: Zelensky's wartime visit to US

Updated 0200 GMT (1000 HKT) December 22, 2022

President Volodymyr Zelensky addresses Congress as Rep. Nancy Pelosi and Vice President Kamala Harris hold up a Ukrainian national flag signed by Ukrainian soldiers at the Capitol in Washington on Wednesday, December 21.
Mandel Ngan/AFP/Getty Images

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is meeting with President Joe Biden in Washington to announce an additional $2 billion security assistance package for Ukraine. The new aid includes a sophisticated new air defense system.

After meeting with Biden in the Oval Office of the White House, the pair will hold a news conference before Zelensky addresses members of Congress on Capitol Hill.

This visit is the Ukrainian leader's first trip outside of his country since Russia's invasion and is expected to last only a matter of hours. It amounts to a remarkable moment 10 months into the war.

The wartime visit is meant to demonstrate in stirring fashion the continued American commitment to Ukraine at a moment when Biden's ability to maintain that support at home and abroad is being tested.

Zelensky addresses the joint meeting of Congress.
Evelyn Hockstein/Reuters
Zelensky holds an American flag that was gifted to him by Pelosi. The flag was flown over the Capitol earlier in the day.
J. Scott Applewhite/AP
Zelensky addresses Congress.
Mandel Ngan/AFP/Getty Images
Zelensky addresses the joint meeting.
Jonathan Ernst/Reuters
Guests of the the Ukrainian delegation wave as Zelensky acknowledges them during his address.
Carolyn Kaster/AP
Zelensky is greeted as he arrives to address Congress.
Nathan Howard/Bloomberg via Getty Images
Zelensky speaks during a news conference with Biden in the East Room of the White House.
Ting Shen/Bloomberg via Getty Images
Biden speaks during the news conference.
Andrew Harnik/AP
Members of the media listen during the news conference in the East Room of the White House.
Andrew Harnik/AP
Biden speaks during the news conference.
Andrew Harnik/AP
Zelensky meets with Biden in the Oval Office of the White House.
Brendan Smialowski/AFP/Getty Images
Zelensky speaks after giving Biden a gift. He presented Biden with a Cross of Combat Merit. Zelensky explained that a captain in the Ukrainian military fighting in the Donbas region asked that his award be given to Biden.
Patrick Semansky/AP
Biden holds the Cross of Combat Merit. "He's very brave," Zelensky said of the soldier. "And he said give it to very brave President, and I want to give you, that is a cross for military merit."
Patrick Semansky/AP
Zelensky sits with Biden and first lady Jill Biden inside the White House.
from President Volodymyr Zelensky/Instagram
Biden and Zelensky walk down the Colonnade of the White House as they make their way to the Oval Office.
Alex Wong/Getty Images
Biden and Zelensky walk into the White House after Zelensky's arrival.
Olivier Douliery/AFP/Getty Images
Biden and first lady Jill Biden welcome Zelensky at the White House on Wednesday.
Andrew Harnik/AP
Biden shakes hands with Zelensky as he arrives at the White House.
Patrick Semansky/AP
Zelensky, left, is greeted by Rufus Gifford, chief of protocol for the state department, after landing in the United States on Wednesday.
NA/Ukrainian Presidency