Washington, D.C. – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is scheduled to meet with President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris at the White House to discuss his “victory plan” aimed at pressuring Russia into seeking a diplomatic resolution to the ongoing conflict.

The details of the meeting have been kept confidential, but it is anticipated that Zelensky will seek ongoing military and financial assistance, as well as security assurances, from the US administration. This meeting comes amidst tensions with former President Donald Trump and the Republican party leading up to the upcoming US presidential election.

Zelensky’s recent visit to an ammunition factory in Pennsylvania garnered criticism from top Republicans, who labeled it as a partisan campaign event. Speaker of the US House, Mike Johnson, accused the visit of being designed to benefit Democrats, leading to calls for Ukraine’s ambassador to Washington to be fired.

Despite the controversy surrounding his visit, Zelensky will also be meeting with Donald Trump during his time in Washington. The relationship between the two leaders has been fraught, with Trump facing impeachment in 2019 over allegations of pressuring Ukraine to investigate a political opponent.

During his visit, Zelensky is expected to seek US support for firing Western-made long-range missiles into Russian territory, a move that Biden has previously opposed. Biden has expressed confidence that Ukraine will prevail in the conflict and has pledged support for the country’s path towards EU and NATO membership.

In response to the escalating tensions, Putin announced plans to revise Russia’s nuclear doctrine, signaling a potential shift in the country’s stance on nuclear weapons. However, hours before his meeting with Zelensky, Biden announced a significant $7.9 billion military assistance package for Ukraine, aimed at bolstering the country’s defenses against Russian aggression.

The outcome of Zelensky’s meetings with Biden and Harris is seen as a crucial moment in securing US support as the conflict with Russia continues to escalate. Despite the challenges, Zelensky expressed gratitude for the US’s unwavering support and reiterated the importance of global leadership in times of crisis.