WASHINGTON - President Joe Biden welcomed Volodymyr Zelensky to the White House on Wednesday, as the Ukrainian President sought to firm up US support for Kyiv’s defence against Russia in his first trip outside his country since Moscow’s forces invaded.

Mr Biden and First Lady Jill Biden greeted Mr Zelensky on the White House’s South Lawn shortly after 2pm in Washington, as the Ukrainian leader began a whirlwind trip that will conclude with an address to Congress in the evening. 

“300 days, it’s hard to believe,” Mr Biden told Mr Zelensky in the Oval Office, remarking on the length of time that has elapsed since Russian President Vladimir Putin’s forces invaded.

“300 days of going through this as Putin has waged a brutal assault on Ukraine’s right to exist as a nation and the attack on innocent Ukrainian people.” 

Mr Biden said Mr Putin is “trying to use winter as a weapon” by bombarding civilian infrastructure in Ukraine with missiles and drones, including power, heat and water supplies. 

“But the Ukrainian people continue to inspire the world,” he said. 

The US seeks a “just peace” in the conflict, Mr Biden said. 

Mr Zelensky told Mr Biden in English that Ukraine controls the situation in the war thanks to US support. He thanked him “for your big support and leadership,” but cautioned that “the war is not over.”

The US president wore a dark blue and yellow tie, similar to the colours of Ukraine’s flag, and Mrs Biden wore a lighter blue dress. Mr Zelensky wore an army-green sweater and cargo pants, his customary attire in public since Russia’s invasion.

Mr Biden placed a hand on Mr Zelensky’s back as they turned to walk into the White House.

Mr Biden’s administration on Wednesday announced US$1.85 billion (S$2.5 billion) in additional military aid to Ukraine, including a Patriot missile battery to help the country bolster its defences this winter.

“We’re going to strengthen Ukraine’s ability to defend itself, particularly air defence, and that’s why we’re going to be providing Ukraine with a Patriot missile battery and training your forces to accurately use them,” Mr Biden told Mr Zelensky, adding, “We stand with you. You’ve been a great leader.”

Mr Zelensky will address Congress on Wednesday evening after a meeting and news conference with Mr Biden. Some Republicans have expressed scepticism or outright opposition to continued US support for the country.

His visit comes at a critical stage in the war. Ukraine has faced a barrage of Russian missile and drone attacks targeting its civilians and critical energy infrastructure in recent weeks, leading to power and water cuts.

Mr Zelensky flew from Europe on a US government plane earlier on Wednesday, landing at Joint Base Andrews outside Washington. He arrived at Blair House, where foreign leaders are accommodated across the street from the White House, just before 1pm in Washington.

He has pleaded for more advanced weapons systems to blunt Russian attacks and for additional energy and economic support as his country’s people brace for a brutal winter.

While the new US aid package includes a single Patriot battery, which can hit missiles and aircraft at higher altitudes than previous weaponry the Biden administration has provided, it does not include weapons such as tanks or fighter jets that Mr Zelensky and other Ukrainians say they need to continue to push back Russian forces.

In their meeting, Mr Biden and Mr Zelensky will discuss strategy on the battlefield and sanctions and export controls placed on Russia, as well as economic, energy sector and humanitarian assistance, according to a senior administration official who briefed reporters ahead of the trip. BLOOMBERG