this is bbc news, i'm laura trevelyan live in washington, our top stories. after meeting volodymyr zelensky at the white house, joe biden praises the bravery of the ukrainian people and pledges continued support for ukraine. were going to give ukraine what it needs to be able to defend itself, to be able to succeed on the battlefield. earlier, mrzelensky expressed his gratitude for washington's backing — and handed mr biden a military medal passed on by a ukrainian soldier. in moscow, president putin told his defence ministry, there will be no restriction on financing the russian offensive. almost all the main nato countries are employing their

military capabilities against russia. but our soldiers, sergeants and officers are fighting create justly fighting create —— courageously. hello and welcome. the president of ukraine, vlodomyr zelensky, has received the red carpet treatment here in washington, dramatically flying in from a warzone to meet president biden at the white house. it's mr zelensky�*s first overseas trip since russia invaded his country in february. in half an hour's time, president zelensky will address a joint meeting of the us congress — we'll bring you his speech live. america is kyiv�*s most important ally — and today president biden told ukraine's leader the united states will stay with you as long as it takes — pledging another military aid package worth around 1.85bn dollars.

this report from our north america correspondent, john sudworth. in a piece of made for tv diplomacy, one president dressed for the front lines... was welcomed by another, in front of the white house. inside, the key messages were made crystal clear, from america, unity. 300 days, hard to believe, 300 days. the brutal assault on ukraine's right to exist as a nation and the attack on innocent ukrainian people. and from ukraine, gratitude. thanks from ourjust ordinary people to your ordinary people. americans. i really appreciate. president biden confirmed the us would be providing

ukraine with patriot missiles, a significant boost to the country's air defences. and with congress currently considering another major aid package, president zelensky�*s speech here later to a joint session is notjust historic but timely. us military support already stands at $18.5 billion and some republican politicians are now questioning what they call blank check funding for the war. applause the ukrainian president arrived in america direct from this ceremony, up close to the fighting and carrying one of these soldier's meddles with him. yes, that is from him. undeserved but much appreciated, thank you. thank you. behind the deep symbolism of this visit there is a hard edged strategic purpose, to make the case in person

that they support from ukraine's most important ally must continue. john sudworth, bbc news, washington. let's hear the opening remarks from president biden who welcomed his ukrainian counterpart into the white house, the first time they've seen each other in person since the war began. president zelensky, i am honoured to welcome you to the white house. we spent a lot of time on the telephone as well as on video but it is good to see you in person again. and we have been in close and frequent communication throughout this conflict from the very beginning a particularly meaningful to talk to one another in person, look each other in the eye because leadership through this terrible crisis is inspired ukrainian people as you have done, mr president and the

american people and the entire world. yourfirst american people and the entire world. your first trip outside the ukraine since february comes as president putin is escalating his attacks and brutal attacks. making life is hard as possible for not only innocent ukrainians but everything from orphanages to schools. it isjust everything from orphanages to schools. it is just outrageous what he is doing. and as we have heard and heading into the new year, it is important for the american people and for the world to hear directly from you, mr president, about ukraine's fight and need to stand together through 2023. and this also falls in the 300 day mark of russia's brutal invasion of ukraine. 300 days since putin launched an unprovoked, unjustified a assault on the free people of ukraine. 300 days of ukrainian

people showing russia and the world their steel backbone, their love of country and their unbreakable determination and i emphasise the unbreakable determination to choose their own path. two ukrainian people, i say to them all, you have demonstrated, you have shown your strong stand against aggression in the face of the imperial appetites of autocrats who wrongfully believe you might that they might be able to make might right and they are not able to do it. president zelensky began by saying how grateful he was for the support of president biden and the american people. translation:x sot) icame i came here to the united states to think the people of america, people who do so much for us and thank you for all of this. the united states is historic for a relationship

with the united states and american leadership. our state department correspondent barbara plett usherjoins me from capitol hill now. set the scene for us, and the us capital due to speak to this joint meeting of congress and less than half an hour. yes and he has been — less than half an hour. yes and he has been meeting _ less than half an hour. yes and he has been meeting with - less than half an hour. yes and l he has been meeting with senior leadership of both parties and the leaders of the senate and in the house of representatives in the house of representatives in just a few minutes that joint session is going to begin in which he is going to spend about 20 minutes speaking to lawmakers and made one reference to that and his discussion at the press conference and said he was convinced that they would continue to be bipartisan support for ukraine perhaps because there is actually a question about that and the

republicans are taking over the house of representatives next year and some of them are reluctant or resistant to continuing this level of support for ukraine sink would be better spent at home. and perhaps but we will here is an appealfor how much ukraine needs the support and why americans should care about it. president zelensky addressed congress albeit remotely and that was pretty dramatic, wasn't it with some very graphic images of the war in ukraine. do you think we can expect something similar tonight? expect something similar toniaht? ~ ~' ., expect something similar toniaht? ~ ~ ., ., , tonight? we know that he is dressed for _ tonight? we know that he is dressed for the _ tonight? we know that he is dressed for the part. - tonight? we know that he is dressed for the part. he - tonight? we know that he is. dressed for the part. he went to the white house dressed as a wartime leader and military style uniform with cargo trousers and the olive green sweater and clearly, the way he is presenting himself in the message is not, the war is not

over yet by any means we need your support to continue and i don't know if he's planning to show any videos or images but he will make an appeal as dramatically as he can and he is quite a good performer and we will see exactly how he employs that during the speech and his efforts are going to be to really make a pitch for united continued american support because he said several times, mr biden, clearly expect the war to go on for a while and they said they would stand united and 2023 and mr zelinski said they talked to mr biden about how ukrainians are the next year and wanted to talk to the congress about support for ukrainians and the message is this is not going to end soon but they have to stay the course and mr biden that definitely said the white house will say they can do whatever they can to make sure that

congress does as well. . find congress does as well. . and they said _ congress does as well. . and they said they _ congress does as well. . and they said they cannot - congress does as well. . and they said they cannot bring a guest tonight into stomatitis the security there?— guest tonight into stomatitis the security there? there are roads that — the security there? there are roads that are _ the security there? there are roads that are blocked - the security there? there are roads that are blocked off - the security there? there are | roads that are blocked off and there is concern that mr zelinski's safety and concern is greater for leaving ukraine that it is greater for leaving ukraine thatitis is greater for leaving ukraine that it is here and there is a fair bit of security they think is another question who is going to be present and who is not, some republican lawmakers may decide to stay away if they're particularly opposed to continue aid to ukraine but it's difficult to determine just looking at those present because there are other factors at play in the houses are considering major spending bills and part of which is about assistance to ukraine and some lawmakers will vote by

proxy for several reasons and approaching storms, there are some absences to deal with feelings about ukraine. this is so carefully — feelings about ukraine. this is so carefully choreographed - feelings about ukraine. this is| so carefully choreographed and absolutely drenched with symbolism as you say, president zelensky is coming here brings combat fatigues and what message do you think the white house is hoping it is addressed to thisjoint meeting house is hoping it is addressed to this joint meeting of congress will send to the war? i think they will want to solidify and maintain the general support in the american public for the war and pull say that some of that is dropping among republicans as they face their own needs with in rising inflation and a recession and so on but certainly the white house message about the war is just about ukraine, this is an about american interests in international order and pushing back against russia, trying to

conquer territory by force and the rules of the road need to be respected and we have we cannot have more strategic and if i can come of russia needs to be held to accountable for this. and with america more immediately, the white house would feel probably it would help for mr zelinski to speak right now on the eve of this whether or not to approve the aide for ukraine of mr volodymyr zelenskyy is making a personal appeal that that might persuade some people. liege personal appeal that that might persuade some people.- persuade some people. live on caitol persuade some people. live on capitol hill. — persuade some people. live on capitol mu, will _ persuade some people. live on capitol hill, will be _ persuade some people. live on capitol hill, will be back- persuade some people. live on capitol hill, will be back with l capitol hill, will be back with you when we can see life pictures there of the floor of the us house of representatives and we can see nancy pelosi and the speak of the house of representatives who invited president zelensky at two o'clock yesterday and rather dramatically, she released a letter saying in the face of

putting's horrible atrocities, ukrainian freedom fighters have inspired the rope with their unbreakable spirit and with that letter, she invited president zelensky to come and speak of thejoint president zelensky to come and speak of the joint session. in speaker pelosi will no longer be the speaker injanuary because republicans have taken control of the house of representatives and so, this is a big moment for her and sherry told reporters that her father was in this chamber —— she had told. and a joint meeting of congress. james jeffrey is the former deputy national security advisor of the united states. he will be alongside me to share his analysis throughout our special coverage on ukrainian president volodymyr zelensky�*s visit to the washington. speaker pelosi is gathering and let's listen to what she says it will come back to you. vice

president _ it will come back to you. vice president in _ it will come back to you. vice president in the _ it will come back to you. vice president in the united - it will come back to you. a)” ca: president in the united states senate. applause we have there the vice president and she is coming in and a leading member of the biden administration and having the dignitaries arriving as kamala harris is ahead of president volodymyr zelenskyy and the joint meeting of the president volodymyr zelenskyy and thejoint meeting of the us congress there's chuck schumer at the majority leader and a lot of gladhanding going on and mitch mcconnell, he is the republican leader in the us

senate in the spring and jim jeffrey who was watching this and ambassadorjeffrey, this is also carefully scripted, isn't it? it also carefully scripted, isn't it? , , ., , ., it? it is but that is a good thin. it? it is but that is a good thing- ihut _ it? it is but that is a good thing. but we _ it? it is but that is a good thing. but we are - it? it is but that is a good | thing. but we are showing it? it is but that is a good i thing. but we are showing is unity to the public, unity to the cameras that actually axes behind the scenes between ukraine and the united states and message to americans in this important. it is our peace, our prosperity and ukrainians, america has your back, to the russians, we are not going to let you win. they are putting that out in there doing a good job of it. doing a good “ob of it. and president — doing a good job of it. and president zelensky - doing a good job of it. and president zelensky is going to be here in person and not addressing remotely like he did in march how significant is that we is the first visit he is made outside of the united states. �* , , ~ states. and this is like winston _ states. and this is like winston churchill - states. and this is like i winston churchill coming states. and this is like - winston churchill coming to washington after pearl harbour and nancy pelosi's father was in the audience. she says i need you involve my people are

doing the fighting, you're the senior partner, joe biden, this is really your war as well. we are seeing — is really your war as well. we are seeing pictures of the house speaker in the us vice president kamala harris and the guest of honour, president zelensky to address this joint meeting andjim, what zelensky to address this joint meeting and jim, what do you expect to hear from meeting and jim, what do you expect to hearfrom president zelensky that he is going to think the american people that is going to think the us government for this military support, is he going to hint that he will talk peace if peace runoff or? i that he will talk peace if peace runoff or?- that he will talk peace if peace runoff or? i think you will pick _ peace runoff or? i think you will pick up _ peace runoff or? i think you will pick up on _ peace runoff or? i think you will pick up on the - peace runoff or? i think you will pick up on the theme i peace runoff or? i think you | will pick up on the theme he said about global peace summit and his remarks of the president because people in congress want to hear that because they do ask a little bit more sharply than the president how does this all end. and also stress the human factor, talking about children repeatedly, talking about the need for peace and imagining if we had no water or electricity. he is a really terrific themes

and i don't think you will get the details because these themes will carry him to a very strong level of support even among the doubters at this point. among the doubters at this oint. �* .., , among the doubters at this oint. ~ , , , ., point. and can see members of concress point. and can see members of congress gathering _ point. and can see members of congress gathering and - point. and can see members of| congress gathering and awaiting the arrival of president zelensky. jim, this isjust such a different picture, isn't it for the war in ukraine which is grinding and people of lost power, they have lost heat and the supportive place in the western hemisphere. it is terrible on _ western hemisphere. it is terrible on the _ western hemisphere. it is terrible on the ground - western hemisphere. it 3 terrible on the ground in that country and the point is, what wars are all political manifestations and politics plays a critical role and president zelensky is doing as much as he can today as he did on the front lines yesterday and he knows what he is doing. the fact is, republicans take control of the house injanuary

republicans talk about a blank check for ukraine but it pretty much as a blank check at the moment and almost $100 billion is being given to ukraine and ljy is being given to ukraine and by the end of this year since the war began in the war on humanitarian assistance. mitch mcconnell. _ humanitarian assistance. mitch mcconnell, the _ humanitarian assistance. mitch mcconnell, the senate - mcconnell, the senate republican is in many and the house and they will not call it a blank check and they will continue doing it the same way and it's good for ukraine and it's good for the world. and it's good for the world. and referring — it's good for the world. and referring to _ it's good for the world. and referring to president - it's good for the world. and referring to president zelensky somewhat cruelly as an international welfare queen said that they think this hand—out to ukraine is the term it, cannot go on forever. i trek out to be political in my foreign policy analysis but i would notjudge don from junior is a particularly valid source of policy wisdom. the

is a particularly valid source of policy wisdom.— is a particularly valid source of policy wisdom. the state of the battle, — of policy wisdom. the state of the battle, 300 _ of policy wisdom. the state of the battle, 300 days - of policy wisdom. the state of the battle, 300 days into - of policy wisdom. the state of the battle, 300 days into this| the battle, 300 days into this world president zelensky comes, how would you assess with things of gone to? . aha, things of gone to? , a stalemate, _ things of gone to? , a stalemate, the - things of gone to? l, stalemate, the withdrawal from the last major battle across the last major battle across the river, it showed real skill in a very difficult military operation. they did not show that when they fled tf and they fled earlier and in syria, he is worthless, but is also competent and shows up but is also competent and shows up on the battlefield and that's producing —— ruthless. it's the question we are facing in the next few months.- in the next few months. let's talk more _ in the next few months. let's talk more about _ in the next few months. let's talk more about that - in the next few months. let's

talk more about that an - in the next few months. let's talk more about that an amended and talking about members of congress, taking their seats, an extraordinary and electrifying address by ukraine president zelensky. talking about the new russian general, president trump's in voi in syria, with the russians and bulletin but happened in syria in regard to ukraine with? it's not the same thing, is it? generally but what they've seen is and this is to the credit of both the biden administration and the trump administration as we have stopped the russian iranian advance in syria and we did that by putting together a coalition with the turks, israelis, local people such as the kurds, opposition forces and american forces fighting the islamic state that conflict has been frozen and the russians will not challenge you if they realise that they're going to be dragged into a larger war with major american

or other western forces. president biden said in that conference with president zelensky that he had never seen nato so united. talking about the unity of nato would stand, what do you think? it is the unity of nato would stand, what do you think?— what do you think? it is being stressed by — what do you think? it is being stressed by the _ what do you think? it is being stressed by the economic - what do you think? it is being| stressed by the economic cost of energy subsidies and the gas flowing from russia has been entirely cut off, not entirely but almost totally cut off and this is going to cost the europeans by early next year, possibly half $1 trillion and thatis possibly half $1 trillion and that is a lot of money and i think every since that i've got a major country, they will stay the line, they realise they're closer to ukraine and we are and if putin gobbles up ukraine, they're going to be next. , . , , next. there is vice president kamala harris, _ next. there is vice president kamala harris, just - next. there is vice president kamala harris, just using . next. there is vice president| kamala harris, just using the gavel and nancy pelosi is holding the gavel, we'll see if that signifies anything. but it

is a pretty dramatic moment, the wartime president coming from the battlefield to the floor of the house of representatives and the us military plane.— representatives and the us military plane. absolutely and arain, it military plane. absolutely and again. it is — military plane. absolutely and again, it is designed - military plane. absolutely and again, it is designed to - military plane. absolutely and again, it is designed to signal| again, it is designed to signal support and if you will, righteousness of the cause we are collective advancing. is calling this meeting to order. escorted his his excellency and the gentleman from massachusetts, the gentlewoman from massachusetts, the gentleman from new york, the gentleman from new york, the gentleman from new york, the gentleman from california, the gentleman from california, the gentleman from california, the gentleman from new york mr meeks, the gentlewoman from ohio, the gentleman mr quigley.

the gentleman from cap the gentleman from california, the gentleman from california, the gentleman from california, the gentleman from texas, the gentlewoman from texas, the gentleman from atlanta, the gentleman from atlanta, the gentleman from atlanta, the gentleman from texas, the gentleman from texas, the gentleman from texas, the gentleman from arkansas, the gentleman from arkansas, the gentleman from arkansas, the gentleman from pennsylvania, mr fitzpatrick, the gentlewoman from india and ms. sparks. this is nancy pelosi, _ from india and ms. sparks. this is nancy pelosi, the _ from india and ms. sparks. this is nancy pelosi, the speaker of the house of representatives here and effectively and a rural culture but she is talking about how president zelensky is about to be escorted onto the floor of the house of representatives and let's listen into the vice president kamala harris. the senator from _ president kamala harris. the senator from new _ president kamala harris. the senator from new york, mr schumer, _ senator from new york, mr schumer, the senator from illinvis— schumer, the senator from illinois mr durbin, the senator from — illinois mr durbin, the senator from washington, mrs murray. that_ from washington, mrs murray. that is— from washington, mrs murray. that is kamala harris because she presides over the senate, announcing the names the senators were going to be escorting president zelensky

into the chamber and so, this is the protocol and nancy pelosi hasjust is the protocol and nancy pelosi has just announced which members of the house of representatives will be escorting president zelensky and that means this big moment for ukraine's wartime president andindeed for ukraine's wartime president and indeed destroyed meaning of the us congress is about to happen and we are about to see president zelensky be escorted here to the floor of the us house of representatives and jeffrey is with me now, what an overwhelming moment for president zelensky. it certainly is because look at what he has gone through. he was nearly deciding to stay in tf in the first is the war, nearly overrun by russian forces right outside the city and he served as a symbol to his people but is now serving as a symbol to all americans and people all around the world. this is how you stand up to oppression. it’s

world. this is how you stand up to oppression-— to oppression. it's quite extraordinary, - to oppression. it's quite extraordinary, having i to oppression. it's quite . extraordinary, having flown to oppression. it's quite - extraordinary, having flown on this us militaryjet. having team meetings of the united states congress and about to make this appeal to the american people and to the world for continued support. but, jim, and all yourtime world for continued support. but, jim, and all your time and foreign policy, have ever known a work right —— war quite like this when? a work right -- war quite like this when?— this when? the entire international, - this when? the entire international, and - this when? the entire international, and a i this when? the entire i international, and a way this when? the entire - international, and a way that we did not even see in the cold war has been rendered asunder by a permanent member of the security council against the major european state, bringing back all the bad memories of world war ii that we thought we buried. that is what is at stake here. if putin is able to gobble up ukraine, he will not stop there and we know that. what is the message that this

worsens my president zelensky and support from sins to china, for example?— for example? exactly. we are doinu for example? exactly. we are doing this _ for example? exactly. we are doing this not _ for example? exactly. we are doing this notjust _ for example? exactly. we are doing this notjust because i for example? exactly. we are doing this notjust because it| doing this notjust because it is critically important for ukraine and to stop russian from moving forward, but also to send a message to china. if you violate the rules of the international community and try to overthrow the international order by making aggression that we had banned almost 80 years ago, and the whole world is going to rise up against you and militarily, economically, politically, morally and be aware. and the chinese are getting this because their support to putin really beyond rhetoric has been very small. speaker of the house, nancy pelosi, she is there with the us vice president kamala harris and many lawmakers there and president zelensky, and i was in brazil during the election

there and there was a possibility the result would be disputed. in brazil does not want to be sanctioned in the way that the russians have been over ukraine. we do not want to repeat this and get in trouble with the americans. a powerful example is cc nancy pelosi and carmel harris. is example is cc nancy pelosi and carmel harris.— carmel harris. is not 'ust the americans * carmel harris. is not 'ust the americans were _ carmel harris. is notjust the americans were sanctioning l carmel harris. is notjust the i americans were sanctioning the russians, it's the europeans, it's about our allies in asia, the un general assembly and the overwhelming majorities condemning russia and not everyone in the world, but it never is. this is a pretty big international coalition and joe biden's diplomacy is put it altogether. in biden's diplomacy is put it altogether.— biden's diplomacy is put it altogether. in you with the ambassador _ altogether. in you with the ambassador to _ altogether. in you with the ambassador to turkey, i altogether. in you with the i ambassador to turkey, turkey is on board with us and playing a leading role in some of the mediation to get the crane at a blood ukrainian portals. it will like no one is doing more than turkey in many ways. thea;r

than turkey in many ways. they have a direct — than turkey in many ways. they have a direct relationship i than turkey in many ways. the: have a direct relationship and the fear russian expansionism because turkey would be one of the next countries to be gobbled up. but the president is trying to maintain ties to putin and he also thinks that she could get negotiated into this war and is ready to do this war and is ready to do this and we're using turkey as a base for exchanges such as cia director bill burns and his russian counterparts just a few weeks ago and so, turkey is playing a crucial role. president zelensky putting the finishing touches to what he is going to say but it's what the metamorphosis for him, isn't it, from comedian, the leader of ukraine, to someone who had president trump breathing down his neck to investigatejoe biden's son and coming to the us. . .,

biden's son and coming to the us. three time ambassador to ronald reagan _ us. three time ambassador to ronald reagan shirley - us. three time ambassador to ronald reagan shirley temple black, and they make good politicians and diplomats. applause. the cabinet of present biden is coming in now and merrick garland, transportation secretary. and this is a sign in the these are probably before president zelensky himself comes in. and gladhanding going on there with lawmakers and members of present biden's cabinet and so, jim, did you ever have any addresses to a joint meeting of congress when you're in the house? ., , ., , , congress when you're in the house? ., , ., , house? not personally, i up a company _ house? not personally, i up a company president _ house? not personally, i up a company president bush i house? not personally, i up aj company president bush when house? not personally, i up a i company president bush when he did presentations and informally, many of us from time to time go up and meet

them for behind—the—scenes discussions, including with both houses. behind the scenes, they're really tough and they should be there representing the american people. after what is accountable.— is accountable. how much work to think of _ is accountable. how much work to think of gone _ is accountable. how much work to think of gone into _ is accountable. how much work to think of gone into this i to think of gone into this visit was make us all under wraps until yesterday when speaker pelosi talked about an important meeting about democracy. everything from the tire pressure to zelensky�*s limo... excruciatingly detailed back—and—forth among hundreds of people. these things are not easy to put together. fiend of people. these things are not easy to put together.— easy to put together. and the white house _ easy to put together. and the white house were _ easy to put together. and the white house were worried i easy to put together. and the i white house were worried about the visit leaking for obvious reasons. what have you made of the russian response to it so far? ., _, , . ., far? putin of course decided to hold his own _ far? putin of course decided to hold his own nonevent, - far? putin of course decided to. hold his own nonevent, meeting with some russian military personnel, saying they would have all their money they needed. he's got an economy

that's 5% of that of the united states and europe combined,