US media say Zelensky expected to visit Washington

U.S. media outlets report that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and U.S. President Joe Biden may meet in Washington on Wednesday, December 21.

According to Ukrinform, The New York Times writes, referring to four people familiar with the planning, that President Zelensky is expected to meet with President Biden at the White House and address Congress in person.

The officials cautioned that the plans were not final and could change. The risks involved in such a visit — with the wartime leader leaving his country for the first time since Russia invaded Ukraine — are high, and tight secrecy would surround any such effort, the report said.

There were suggestions that an unusual session of Congress was in the works. Speaker Nancy Pelosi of California earlier on Tuesday sent a letter to all House lawmakers asking them to attend the Wednesday night session in person, even though lawmakers retain the ability to vote remotely.

"We are ending a very special session of the 117th Congress with legislation that makes progress for the American people as well as support for our democracy. Please be present for a very special focus on Democracy Wednesday night," she wrote.

The Appropriations Committee of the U.S. Senate on December 19 released the $1.7 trillion fiscal year 2023 Omnibus Appropriations bill that includes, in particular, $44.9 billion in emergency assistance to Ukraine and NATO allies.