Zelenskyy heading to Washington: First trip abroad since war began

(Patria) - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is preparing to visit Washington on Wednesday, according to three AP sources, in his first known trip outside the country since the start of the Russian invasion in February.

The visit plans were confirmed by two congressional sources and one person familiar with the visit. They spoke to reporters on condition of anonymity due to the highly sensitive nature of the trip.

They said Zelenskyy's visit, though anticipated, could still be cancelled at the last minute due to security concerns.

The visit to Washington will include an address to Congress on Capitol Hill and a meeting with President Joseph Biden.

The visit comes as lawmakers are set to vote on a year-end spending package that includes about $45 billion in emergency aid for Ukraine and as the US prepares to send Patriot surface-to-air missiles to the country to help fend off the Russian invasion. The US has been Ukraine's largest military and financial donor since the war began on February 24 of this year.