Outside Ukraine for the first time since the beginning of the war, Zelensky arrives in Washington

This is his first trip abroad since the Russian invasion began in February.

Zelensky will also address Congress and hold a series of bilateral meetings.

“The US path to strengthen Ukraine's defence capabilities”, Zelensky wrote on Twitter.

The US has also confirmed it will supply Ukraine with a Patriot missile battery, significantly increasing the country's air defence capacity.

“During the visit, President Biden will announce an important package of security assistance to help Ukraine defend itself against Russian aggression”, the White House said.

Zelensky regularly hosts foreign leaders in the Ukrainian capital, Kiev, and visits military troops across Ukraine.

He paid an unprecedented visit to the front line town of Bahmut on Tuesday, where Ukrainian and Russian forces have fought a fierce month-long battle.

Ukrainian President has often conducted phone conversations and conducted video connections with world leaders from his office in Kiev.

But an unprecedented visit to a foreign country marking the first since the beginning of the war also signals the importance of Ukraine's relations with the US, which has played a leading role in providing military support.

At a conference prior to Zelensky's visit, the White House also confirmed a new package of nearly $2 billion in aid to Ukraine.

Zelensky has called for more funds and has said the monthly cost of defence for Ukraine is about $5 billion.

Ukrainian officials have also long called for stronger air defence systems from the West. The new Patriot missile system will enable Ukraine to protect its vital infrastructure against Russian attacks.

Russia has targeted Ukraine's energy sector, leaving millions of people in darkness in winter temperatures that are several degrees below zero.

Ukrainian authorities said Russia is attacking the power grid and other infrastructure using Iranian suicide bombers.

Now fierce fighting is continuing in Donjeck as Russian forces continued their attacks on eastern Ukraine.

The unprohibited Russian invasion of Ukraine has passed the 300th day.

On December 19th, Russian President Vladimir Putin travelled to Minsk, where he met with the authoritarian leader of Belarus, Alyaxander Lucashenka.

Putin, who has paid few visits abroad since the Coronourous pandemic began in 2020, agreed with Lucas that their countries will continue to hold joint military exercises and maintain co-operation in this area.

Currently, Russia has thousands of troops in Belarus for training. Experts have argued Moscow is preparing these troops for a large-scale offensive early next year.

After this visit, Ukraine strengthened its border defense with Belarus for fear that Russia may be preparing a new attack.

Belarus shares the border with Russia and Ukraine.

Although Belarus has not been directly involved in war, it allowed Russian troops to use its territory to begin the conquest in February.