Live updates: follow the latest news on Russia-Ukraine
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will address both chambers of the US Congress via video on Wednesday as his nation continues to fend off invading Russian forces, Democratic leaders announced.
“We look forward to the privilege of welcoming President Zelenskyy's address to the House and Senate and to convey our support to the people of Ukraine as they bravely defend democracy,” House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said in a joint letter to Congress on Monday.
“The Congress remains unwavering in our commitment to supporting Ukraine as they face [Russian President Vladimir] Putin's cruel and diabolical aggression and to passing legislation to cripple and isolate the Russian economy as well as deliver humanitarian, security and economic assistance to Ukraine.”
The Democratic leaders said Mr Zelenskyy's address would begin at 9am.
-
The Empire State Building in New York lights up with the colours of Ukraine in a show of solidarity. Photo: Empire State Building -
Zac Haycock stands in front of the Utah State Capitol, which is lit in blue and yellow in support of Ukraine. AP -
The I-35W Bridge glows blue and yellow in support of the people of Ukraine in Minneapolis, Minnesota. EPA -
Demonstrators hold flags and a sign during a 'Stand with Ukraine' rally in front of the White House in Washington. Reuters -
Protesters gather at Town Square in Jackson, Wyoming, to show solidarity with Ukraine amid the Russian invasion. Several of the protesters were native Ukrainians with family in the country. AP -
People protest outside the UN in New York against Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Reuters -
US first lady Jill Biden wears a mask with a sunflower, the national flower of Ukraine. AFP -
An American flag unfurls off a pedicab as it glides past the Denver City/County Building, which is illuminated in yellow and blue in support of Ukraine. AP -
Kristina Ulyanenko protests the Russian attack on Ukraine at the state capitol in Austin, Texas. AP -
Flowers and messages are piled together outside the Ukrainian embassy in Washington. AP -
The Paramount Miami Worldcentre skyscraper in Florida lights up blue and yellow. Paramount Miami Worldcentre via AP -
A store in Lewiston, Maine, programmed its 11-metre light tower to dance through a series of blinking yellow and blue lights that eventually come together to form the colors of the flag of Ukraine. AP -
Joni Ernst, a Republican senator from Iowa, wears a brooch in the colours of Ukraine during a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing at the US Capitol. EPA -
Protesters listen to speakers as they gather for a rally in support of Ukraine at the Utah Capitol in Salt Lake City. AP -
Dmytro Stasyshen of Ukraine holds a sign to protest the Russian invasion during a rally in the Hollywood area of Los Angeles. AP -
Evergy Plaza in Topeka, Kansas, will be lit in blue and yellow lights. AP -
People dine inside Veselka restaurant where a Ukrainian flag hangs in the East Village in New York. AP
Mr Zelenskyy will likely get a more receptive audience than his predecessor Petro Poroshenko did several months after Russia annexed Crimea in 2014.
Republicans at the time demanded former president Barack Obama's administration do more to aid Ukraine to reclaim Crimea, but the White House resisted those calls out of fear of provoking Russia.
“One cannot win the war with blankets. One cannot keep the peace with blankets,” Mr Poroshenko said at the time, as then-vice president Joe Biden sat behind him in the House chamber.
Mr Zelenskyy will be addressing a Congress that is much more unified on Ukraine, having already sent an aid package to Mr Biden's desk to sign that will provide the country with weapons and other equipment.
But the Ukrainian president won't get all of his asks. The US, as well as other Nato members, have thus far refused to implement a no-fly zone over his country. A direct confrontation between Nato and Russia "is World War III", Mr Biden argued.
Still, Congress is expected to move quickly this week to end normal trade relations with Moscow after Mr Biden announced the intention to revoke Russia's preferred trade status.
The House of Representatives will “take up legislation to formalise this revocation and it is our hope that it will receive a strong, bipartisan vote”, Ms Pelosi said in a press release.
Stripping Russia of its “most favoured nation” trade status requires an act of Congress, but the White House is expected to co-ordinate with the legislative body on the action. Mr Biden lauded both Democratic and Republican leaders for supporting the move.
Mr Zelenskyy thanked Mr Biden for moving to revoke the status in a phone call last week but pressed the US president to apply even more pressure to isolate Russia from international trade, CNN reported.
The US on Saturday announced it would send an additional $200 million in weapons assistance to Ukraine.
Mr Zelenskyy will also address Canada's Parliament via video on Tuesday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced last week while in Germany for a meeting with Chancellor Olaf Scholz.
The Ukrainian president pressed the UK Parliament last week for additional sanctions and more arms during an address to the House of Commons.
Agencies contributed to this report
