The First Lady of Ukraine, Olena Zelenska, has visited the White House on her first official visit to the United States. The wife of Volodymir Zelenska called for U.S. support for her country in the face of Russia's invasion. President Biden had previously met with Zelenska during a whirlwind visit to Kiev last May.

Humanitarian aid, military support and urgent attention to women and children are the main focuses of Zelenska's trip, who has presented to Congress the plans for the reconstruction of his country. Secretary of State Antony Blinken also met in Washington with the Ukrainian president's wife. Blinken assures that the Biden Administration will continue to provide humanitarian aid to Kiev, especially to the program that Zelenska herself directs, focused on alleviating the effects of the war on the mental health of the population.

Air defense systems

Olena Zelenska has been clear in calling for air defense systems. She has asked for military aid, "weapons to stop Russian bombs", in her speech before Congress. This request, which was not on the agenda, was accompanied by a lengthy account of Russian military atrocities in her country. He has shown images of victims of attacks against civilians, many of them children. "I am asking for weapons, (...) air defense systems, (...) so that rockets do not kill children in their strollers," she has cried out.

The Ukrainian First Lady was expected to focus her demands on the mental health program she coordinates, which is supported by Usaid (U.S. Agency for International Development).