Zelensky’s meeting with Biden, address to Congress testify to unprecedented support from U.S. - Shmyhal

That’s according to Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal, who spoke at the opening of a government meeting on Friday, Ukrinform reports.

"I’d start with the visit of President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky to the United States of America, which is truly historic. The meeting with President Biden and the address of the Head of our State to Congress showed an unprecedented level of solidarity with the Ukrainian people. America has clearly stated that it will support us until victory. This is a consolidated opinion of all U.S. political forces and the American people," Shmyhal said.

He recalled that as a result of the negotiations in Washington, D.C., Ukraine will receive a package of defense aid in the amount of about $2 billion. More HIMARS systems, as well as the Patriot anti-aircraft missile launcher are part of it. It will more reliably protect Ukrainian skies from Russian terrorists.

"We are counting on Congress to approve the support package for Ukraine in the amount of almost $45 billion. It is about military, economic, and humanitarian aid. This amount is laid down in the U.S. federal budget for 2023. Yesterday, the Senate already voted for the draft. Now the decision is up to the House," added Shmyhal.

He also said that the finance ministers of the G7 nations confirmed the joint vision of supporting Ukraine in the next year. Up to $32 billion has already been mobilized. This includes aid from the European Union in the amount of EUR18 billion and a package of U.S. assistance.  Ukraine us also expecting to get a loan from the World Bank and a support budget from Japan.

As reported, on December 21, President Volodymyr Zelensky made his first trip abroad after the start of the full-scale war. He visited the USA, where he met with President Joseph Biden and address U.S. Congress.

On his way home, Zelensky held a meeting with President Andrzej Duda of Poland.