Pelosi’s office confirmed the trip in a statement Sunday saying the president had led an official congressional delegation to Ukraine, the first amid Russia’s invasion.
Zelensky shared a video Sunday of their meeting in Kyiv and thanked the United States for Ukraine’s strong support for Russian aggression.
“We are visiting you to thank you for your struggle for freedom, that we are on the verge of freedom and that your battle is a battle for all,” Pelosi told Zelenski in the video. “So, our commitment is to be with you until the battle is over.”
Her visit comes as the United States and its allies step up to provide long-term support to Ukraine as Russia’s invasion of the nation rages.
Last week, in response to Zelensky’s requests, a group of 40 nations gathered by the United States in Germany agreed to streamline and speed up arms supplies to Ukraine. “We must move at the speed of war,” said Defense Minister Lloyd Austin, who met with Ukrainian President in Kyiv and Secretary of State Anthony Blinken last week.
The House of Representatives on Thursday passed legislation that would allow Biden to use World War II law, known as the Land Leasing Act of 1941, to lend arms to Ukraine quickly. This law was originally created to help the forces fighting Hitler, and reflects the urgency of Congress to support the Ukrainian armed forces.
President Joe Biden has also asked Congress for an additional $ 33 billion bill to help Ukraine over the next few months as Russia’s brutal and ruthless war enters a new phase. Biden also outlined a proposal that would put additional pressure on Russian oligarchs over the war in Ukraine, including using money from confiscated assets to finance Ukraine’s defense.
The package is significantly larger than the other packages proposed, and is more than twice the $ 13.6 billion military and humanitarian aid infusion approved by Congress last month.
Zelenski stressed the importance of financial assistance during his meeting with Pelosi. “The signals that the United States and President Biden are sending today are very important. “These are recent strong steps in defense and financial support for Ukraine, as well as land leasing decisions – we are grateful for that,” Zelensky said.
Pelosi’s trip to Kyiv, the president’s second successor, marks a significant step in a commitment to support Ukraine at the highest level of US leadership.
“Our congressional delegation had the solemn opportunity and great honor to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and other senior Ukrainian officials in Kyiv,” Pelosi’s office said in a press release.
“Our delegation conveyed our respect and gratitude to President Zelensky for his leadership and our admiration for the Ukrainian people for their courage in the fight against Russian oppression.
Pelosi Green Award with the Order of Princess Olga for her “significant personal contribution” to strengthening Ukrainian and American ties. Olga was the first woman to rule Kievan Rus, the first East Slavic state. The order bearing her name is awarded to women who have achieved significant success in politics and society – the personification of women’s power in Ukraine.
He also presented Pelosi with a Ukrainian flag, which he and members of parliament, including those she met recently at the US Capitol, had signed, according to Pelosi spokesman Drew Hamill.
Pelosi was joined by several other senior members of Congress, including Gregory Meeks of New York, chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee, and Adam Schiff of California, chairman of the Intelligence Committee.
The delegation spent just over three hours on the ground in Kyiv, said Pelosi spokesman Drew Hamill. American politicians are now in Poland, where they are to meet with President Andrzej Duda and other senior officials.
Speaking to reporters at a news conference in Rzeszow, Poland on Sunday, Pelosi said her discussions with Zelenski focused on security, humanitarian and economic aid, and ultimately Ukraine’s reconstruction.
“We were proud to send him a message of unity from the US Congress. “A message of gratitude from the American people for their leadership and admiration for the people of Ukraine for their courage,” Pelosi said.
“America stands with Ukraine, we stand with Ukraine until victory is won, and we are with NATO.
CNN’s Sarita Harilela and Sophie Yong of Hong Kong and Daniela Diaz and Mikaila Bouchard of the District of Columbia contributed to this report.
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