President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine is undertaking a whirlwind mission to Washington this week in an urgent effort to shore up U.S. support for his fledgling government as it battles Russian forces and downplays allegations of corruption.
The young president arrived in Washington on Tuesday to meet with members of Congress, the White House and other senior U.S. officials to press Ukraine’s case for Western support. He is expected to call for greater sanctions against Moscow, increased economic ties with the West and improvement in Ukraine’s human rights record.
At the same time, President Zelensky has sought to downplay or refute corruption allegations, framing them as part of a broader effort to discredit his government. He will also urge greater coordination between the United States and Ukraine on issues such as security and energy security.
Zelensky’s visit gives him an opportunity to thank Washington for its support to date and to make the case that stronger diplomacy and closer economic ties are in both nations’ interests. The Ukrainian president hopes to leave Washington with a package of commitments that will move him closer to his goal of strengthening Ukraine’s sovereignty and security in the face of Russian aggression.
