Ukraine’s President, Volodymyr Zelensky, paid an urgent visit to Washington D.C. last week in a bid to bolster support from the United States.
His main objective was to ensure the United States remained committed to assisting Ukraine, especially in the midst of ongoing tension with Russia. The United States has been a close ally of Ukraine since its split with Russia in 2014.
During his two day trip, Zamensky met with US president Donald Trump and senior members of his administration. He also held press conferences, attended political parties, and issued official statements via twitter.
Zelensky was keen to ensure the United States did not waiver in its support of Ukraine, particularly concerning the conflict in eastern Ukraine where the Russia-backed separatists have been accused of aggression. It is alleged Russia has committed a number of major atrocities in eastern Ukraine, including the downing of Malaysian airlines in 2014.
Zelensky used the trip to ensure further policies were enacted which support Ukraine. He stressed the importance of economic and trade ties, as well as military assistance, from the United States and other western allies.
Shortly after the visit, the US Senate unanimously passed a bill granting an extra $300 million in military assistance to Ukraine. This was seen as a major victory for Zelensky and the Ukrainian government.
The intense visit proved successful for the Ukrainian leader, who left with the assurance that western countries remain dedicated to helping his nation. This is a pivotal time for Ukraine as they deal with an ever-growing crises on the border with Russia. It is therefore crucial their US allies remain committed to providing a support. Zelensky’s visit indicates that both nations hope to maintain a strong and positive relationship in the future.