Zelenskiy arrives in the US Volodymyr Zelenskiy has arrived in the United States, a US official said. The Ukrainian leader will meet with President Joe Biden and address Congress in his first foreign visit since the Russian invasion. “We’re going to continue help Ukraine succeed on the battlefield… I don’t think we should underestimate the impact this war is having on Russia and the losses they’re suffering,” said Biden. “Just peace is different. For me, as a president, just peace is no compromises to the sovereignty, freedom and territorial integrity of my country, the payback of all the damaged inflicted by Russian aggression,” said Zelenskiy in response to a question about how he envisions peace for Ukraine. “As a father, I’d like to emphasize how many parents lost their sons and daughters on the frontlines so what is just peace for them?” he added. “I’ve never seen NATO and the European Union more united on any issue and I see no sign of change... We all know what’s at stake, the very idea of sovereignty, the UN charter. Putin thought he would weaken NATO, instead he strengthened NATO… He produced a more united Europe,” said Biden. “I feel very good about the solidarity for support for Ukraine,” he added. “We discussed issues of standoff against any terror from Russia, their destruction of our energy infrastructure, we need to survive this winter… This is a key humanitarian issue for us. We are discussing sanctions and legal pressure on the terrorist country of Russia,” Zelenskiy said. “President Biden announced a new package of defence support, about $2 billion, and the strongest element of this package is the Patriot missile systems…something that will strengthen our air defense significantly…to create secure air space for Ukraine,” Zelenskiy said. “I am grateful for president Biden…[for] unit[ing] the partners in the global south,” said Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskiy, adding that he is looking forward to “good” meetings with members of congress for their support. “The American people are with you every step of the way… we will stay with you for as long as it takes,” said Biden, adding, “I have no doubt that we will keep the flame of liberty bright.” Biden added that Russia is weaponizing the harsh winter against the Ukrainian people and that the US and its allies are helping Ukraine make “critical repairs” to its energy systems. Biden announced an additional aid package of $1.58 billion, saying that the latest package will include a Patriot missile battery. “The United States have been proud to welcome more than 221,000 Ukrainians seeking refuge,” said Biden, adding that USAID will commit $374 million in humanitarian aid to Ukrainians. “From the very beginning the United States rallied partners and allies around the world to stand strong with Ukraine... More than 50 nations have committed more than 2,000 tanks and other vehicles,” Biden said. “You will never stand alone,” president Joe Biden says to the Ukrainian people in his address at the joint press conference with his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelenskiy. “Ukraine’s fight is part of something much bigger,” he added. US president Joe Biden and Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskiy are due to hold a joint press conference at the White House shortly. The UN will allocate an additional $20 million from the Ukraine Humanitarian Fund to support over 300 civil society organizations and volunteer groups. “These groups have always been the backbone of the humanitarian response in Ukraine and even more since the war started in late February,” said Denise Brown, the UN humanitarian coordinator for Ukraine. “They are in the front line, taking risks to make sure people whose lives have been torn apart by months of war receive support for their daily needs: water, food, medicines, shelter when their houses have been damaged,” she added. “It’s an honour to be by your side in united defense against what is a brutal, brutal war,” US president Joe Biden told Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskiy in the Oval Office ahead of their bilateral meeting. Zelenskiy went on to present Biden with a medal from a Ukrainian artillery captain on the frontline in Bakhmut, Ukraine. “Undeserved, but much appreciated,” Biden said upon receiving the medal. 19.15 GMT Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskiy arrives at White House Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskiy has arrived at the White House shortly after 2pm Eastern Standard Time (7pm GMT) on Wednesday. He was greeted by US president Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden. In an overwhelming vote of 93-2, the senate confirmed the appointment of Lynne M. Tracy as the new US ambassador to Russia on Wednesday. The vote took place hours before Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskiy arrived in Washington DC on Wednesday to meet with president Joe Biden. Tracy, a career diplomat of the US Foreign Service, “will be tasked with standing up to [Russian president Vladimir] Putin,” senate majority leader Chuck Schumer said, the Associated Press reports. Images of Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskiy’s arrival to the US have been shared on his official Telegram account. “I am in Washington today to thank the American people, the President and the Congress for their much-needed support. And also to continue cooperation to bring our victory closer,” Zelenskiy wrote. “I will hold a series of negotiations to strengthen the resilience and defense capabilities of Ukraine. In particular, we will discuss bilateral cooperation between Ukraine and the United States of America with US President Joseph Biden,” he added. “Next year, we must return the Ukrainian flag and freedom to our entire land, to all our people.” Ukraine’s corn production could fall to 22-23 million tonnes this year from 41.9 million in 2021 because of a reduction in the harvested area caused by Russia’s invasion, its agriculture minister said on Wednesday. Reuters reports: “It would be good if we harvest 22 to 23 million tonnes (of corn),” agriculture minister Mykola Solsky, whose country is a major global exporter of corn, told Reuters in an interview. The ministry in September forecast the 2022 corn crop at 25 million to 27 million tonnes. Solsky said farmers, facing a lack of fuel and funds, had left a lot of corn in their fields, and these areas could be harvested by spring. “It means less volume and worse grain quality,” he said. Ukraine has already completed the 2022 wheat and barley harvest, threshing 19.4 million and 5.6 million tonnes respectively. Farmers had also harvested 18.4 million tonnes of corn from 70% of the expected area with a yield of 6.27 tonnes per hectare as of Dec. 15, according to agriculture ministry data. The overall grain harvest totalled almost 45 million tonnes as of Dec. 15 and the ministry, which has forecast a total harvest of 51 million tonnes, has said 49.2 million tonnes could potentially be exported, depending on the logistical situation. The exports could include 16.3 million tonnes of wheat, it said. Ukraine’s exports have fallen significantly so far this season due to the war and Russian blockades of Ukrainian seaports.