Things got off to a rough start between Joe Biden and Volodymyr Zelensky, two men who on the surface at least have little in common — but since Russia invaded Ukraine they have become firm allies.
As the Ukrainian president makes his third wartime trip to the White House on Tuesday in a bid to stop US funding drying up, here is a look at their previous meetings.
September 2021: ‘He had bombed’
Biden received the young Ukrainian president, who is 36 years his junior, in the historic Oval office for Zelensky’s first visit to the White House, before Russia’s invasion.
It did not go well.
The former slapstick comedian and political novice immediately pushed the US president, a veteran politician of half a century’s standing, to let Kyiv into NATO.
Biden, expecting gratitude for years of US aid as Ukraine battled a Russian-backed insurgency in its east since 2014, was not impressed.
Ukraine was also a sensitive subject for the Democrat, whose son Hunter’s business dealings there were under investigation and were fodder for Republican political attacks.
Zelensky then criticized NATO as outdated, which “pissed Biden off,” journalist Franklin Foer wrote in his book The Last Politician: Inside Joe Biden’s White House and the Struggle for America’s Future.
“Even Zelensky’s most ardent sympathizers in the administration agreed that he had bombed,” Foer wrote.
– December 2022: Hero’s welcome –
The situation couldn’t have been more different when Zelensky, this time wearing military fatigues instead of his civilian suit, made a surprise visit to Washington on his first trip abroad after Russia’s February 2022 invasion.
“You will never stand alone,” Biden warmly promised him after he arrived on the South Lawn of the White House, hailing Zelensky’s leadership as Ukraine held off its larger neighbor.
There was no trace of their previous frostiness as they took the iconic stroll through the colonnades of the White House, posed for photos and gave a press conference.
“This guy to his very soul is who he says he is,” said Biden, wearing a blue and yellow tie in the colors of the Ukraine flag. “He’s willing to give his life for his country.”
The lightning visit also came with concrete benefits: fresh aid including the Patriot missile defense system.
Zelensky was then greeted as a hero on Capitol Hill, where he addressed Congress in an appearance likened to Winston Churchill’s Christmas-time visit in 1941 days after the Pearl Harbor attack.
– February 2023: Kyiv surprise –
Days before the first anniversary of Russia’s invasion, Biden became the first US president to visit a warzone that was not under the control of the American military, arriving in the Ukrainian capital after a top-secret journey by plane and train.
“It’s good to be back in Kyiv,” said Biden, who had previously visited when he was vice president under Barack Obama.
Air raid sirens wailed as Biden, wearing his trademark aviator sunglasses, and Zelensky walked side by side to visit the gold-domed Saint Michael’s Cathedral, a symbol of Ukrainian resistance, on a crisp winter day.
“Thank you for coming,” said Zelensky.
The show of US support would once again be followed by a huge influx of American aid, this time to prepare Ukraine for a counteroffensive against Vladimir Putin’s forces.
– September 2023: War fatigue –
Zelensky was accompanied by his wife for his second wartime visit to the United States, and they smiled for the cameras alongside Biden and First Lady Jill Biden in front of the White House.
“We’re staying with you,” said Biden.
But this time, behind the grins was the fear of growing war fatigue. The counteroffensive had stalled and skeptical Republicans wanted to cut US aid for Ukraine, the first sign of the trouble that could now see money run out by the year’s end.
This time Zelensky was snubbed by the then-speaker of the US House of Representatives, there was no grand speech to Congress, and he left with no deal on more funds.
Less than three months later, the Ukrainian leader would be back in Washington.
