{O/C} {Good evening}
We begin tonight with the historic face-to-face meeting between U.S. President Joe Biden and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in the Oval Office.
Zelensky thanked Americans for their undying support as Biden pledged more military assistance, including the Patriot missile system.
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President Biden and first lady Jill Biden greeted Zelensky at the White House as they shook hands with each other.
Then the duo headed into the Oval Office where President Biden assured Zelensky America will have his country's back.
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JOE BIDEN, United States President:
Well, Mr. President, it's good to have you back.
He's (Putin) trying to use winter as a weapon, but the Ukrainian people continue to inspire the world.
Together with our partners we're also going to continue to impose costs on the Kremlin, and we'll support Ukraine pursuing a just peace.
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Zelensky expressed his gratitude to bipartisan support for Ukraine and presented Biden with an award on behalf of a HIMARS unit captain from Ukraine.
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VOLODYMYR ZELENSKY, Ukrainian President:
All my appreciation to you, first of all, Mr. President, for your big support and leadership.
Yes, he's very brave, and he said, "Give it to a very brave president."
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Sources say Zelensky first arrived at a train station on Poland before flying to America on board a U.S. military plane that were at times escorted by NATO fighter jets.
Zelensky's whirlwind trip comes on the 300th day of the Russia-Ukraine war and after week-long secret planning.
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Over in Moscow, Russian President Vladimir Putin deflected blame for Russia's botched war tactics on to "other countries' politics."
Back in Washington, Biden detailed a 1.85-billion-U.S. dollar military aid package, including Patriot surface-to-air missiles with training for soldiers for the first time.
While Congress is also planning to vote on another 45-billion-dollar aid package, top House Republican Kevin McCarthy has vowed not to give Ukraine any blank cheques.
Still, Zelensky was confident of bipartisan support because combating Russia is a concerted effort.
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{Zelensky}
My message -- I wish you peace because we really fight for our common victory against this tyranny.
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