Image source, EPA

Well that was a busy day.

We're ending our live coverage now after Volodymyr Zelensky visited the US capital for his first overseas trip since his country was invaded by Russia in February. Here's a round-up of what happened today:

• Zelensky touched down in the morning and received a red-carpet welcome at the White House
• He held talks with President Joe Biden before the pair gave a news conference
• Zelensky thanked Biden for the $45bn in economic and military aid that Congress is poised to approve
• He described the money as an “investment” that will strengthen global security
• Biden announced more support for Ukraine, including a Patriot missile defence system
• Zelensky then addressed Congress, where he received at least 10 standing ovations
• He spoke about a recent trip to the frontlines in Bakhmut, stating that "every inch of that land is soaked in blood"
• He ended by wishing Americans a Merry Christmas, and displayed a Ukrainian flag that was signed by frontline troops in Bukhmat

Image source, Reuters

Despite receiving so many standing ovations in Congress we lost count, some Republicans have been less enthusiastic about President Zelensky's trip to Washington.

House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy told CNN he thought Zelensky's speech was "good," but that he wants to make sure there's "accountability" for any aid the US gives Ukraine.

"I support Ukraine but I never support a blank cheque," he said.

During Zelensky's speech, Matt Gaetz, Lauren Boebert, Warren Davidson refused to applaud. Boebert was seen staring at her phone.

And Thomas Massie refused to show up at all, tweeting: "I’m in DC but I will not be attending the speech of the Ukrainian lobbyist."

Zelensky's guest list for his address included prominent Ukrainian-American figures, as well as members of his own staff and advisors.

Ukrainian-born US judge Bohdan Futey was in the audience, as well as Natalia Jaresko, a former US state department official who served as Ukraine's finance minister between 2014 and 2016.

A Ukrainian biology professor at Georgetown University in Washington was also invited, as well as a Harvard professor of Ukrainian Studies.

Several Ukrainian embassy and consular officials in the US were invited to attend.

In her note on Tuesday announcing Zelensky's speech, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi said that lawmakers were not allowed to bring guests due to "security reasons".

Anthony Zurcher
BBC North America correspondent

“Ukraine didn’t fall,” Volodymyr Zelensky told the US Congress to thunderous applause. “Ukraine is alive and kicking.”

The tenor of the Ukrainian’s Wednesday evening address was confident – humble and thankful, but above all confident.

It underlined the remarkable journey Zelensky has made since the early days of the war, when he seemed traumatised and distraught, telling European leaders that it "might be the last time you see me alive”.

After 10 months of fighting, and frequently beating, the Russians, Zelensky and his nation have a renewed bravado – and that bravado was on full display in his congressional speech, as he thundered about the heroism of Ukrainian soldiers and the determination with which they fought.

The war may be far from over, and continued American support is essential, but Mr Zelensky’s message between the lines was that Americans should know they are backing a winner.

President Zelensky has just finished addressing the US Congress. Here's a round-up of what he said:

• Zelensky - who received at least 10 standing ovations - told Congress that American financial packages to help Ukraine are an investment in global security
• "Your money is not charity," he said
• He referenced the Battle of the Bulge - a Christmas battle fought by American soldiers against the Nazis
• "Brave Ukrainian forces are doing the same to Putin’s forces this Christmas," he said
• Zelensky also spoke about a recent trip to the frontlines in Bakhmut, stating that "every inch of that land is soaked in blood"
• He wished Americans a Merry Christmas, and said that many Ukrainians will be celebrating by candlelight "not because it's more romantic but because there will be no electricity"
• He ends by saying Ukraine will achieve "absolute victory"

Image source, Pool

As he closes his speech Zelensky thanks every "American family" and "every city" in the US and every American who has been supportive of Ukraine.

He speaks with emotion as he says he is grateful for all the Americans "who waved our national flag".

Some members of Congress in the audience have dressed in blue and yellow - the colours of Ukraine's flag.

Quoting WW2 US President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Zelensky says that Ukraine will achieve an "absolute victory".

"The Ukrainian people will win too. Absolutely."

He continues: "We will win because we are united. Ukraine and America and the entire free world."

He then displays a Ukrainian flag that was signed by frontline troops in Bukhmat.

"Merry Christmas, and happy victorious new year," he says, ending his speech, by saying "glory to Ukraine" in Ukrainian.

Zelensky now turns to Christmas.

Millions in Ukraine will celebrate by candlelight "not because it's more romantic but because there will be no electricity", he says.

"We will celebrate Christmas," he says.

Ukrainian faith “will not be put out”, he adds.

"Your money is not charity," Zelensky says, thanking US lawmakers for major financial packages that have been provided to his country.

"It's an investment in the global security and democracy that we handle in the most responsible way."

"You can speed up our victory," he says.

It comes as Republicans - some of whom are skeptical of further aid to Ukraine - are scheduled to take control of the House in less than two weeks.

The US is among the biggest donors of military aid to Ukraine.

House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy, who is expected to be the next Speaker of the House, said earlier this year that there won't be any "blank cheque" for Ukraine while Republicans are in charge.

Image source, EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock

The ongoing Christmas fight there is reminiscent of the Battle of the Bulge, Zelensky says, another Christmas battle fought nearly 80 years ago against another authoritative power: the Nazis.

"Just like the brave American soldiers who held their lines and fought Hilter’s forces," he says.

"Brave Ukrainian forces are doing the same to Putin’s forces this Christmas."

Zelensky is now talking about the frontlines in Ukraine.

His visit to Washington comes a day after he visited Bakhmut, a front-line city in eastern Ukraine that has seen some of the fiercest battles in this war.

The Russians, he says, "have been taking Bakhmut since May".

"They have been taking it day and night, yet Bakhmut stands."

For months, Bakhmut has been a key target for Russian forces in the eastern Donetsk region, and has been extremely badly damaged. However, Ukrainian forces have been able to hold back the advance.

"Every inch of that land is soaked in blood," says Zelensky.

"Roaring guns sound every hour. Trenches in the Donbas change hands several times a day in fierce combat."

He adds that "Ukrainian Donbas" still exists.

Earlier today, Zelensky presented President Biden with a Ukrainian military medal which was given to him by a Ukrainian officer in Bakhmut.

The officer asked Zelensky to give his medal to Biden as a token of his profound gratitude. The officer also wrote Biden a letter expressing his appreciation for his support.

Soldiers also gave Zelensky a Ukrainian flag with their names signed on it and asked him to give it to Biden and the US Congress.

Image source, EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock

The war will define whether a democracy of Ukrainians and Americans applies "for all", Zelensky says.

"This battle cannot be frozen or postponed, it cannot be ignored," he says, adding that "hoping that the ocean or something else will provide protection" is not enough.

"Our two nations are allies in this battle and next year will be a turning point, I know it," he adds.

"It's a great honour to be at the US Congress to speak to you, and all Americans," said Zelensky.

"Against all odds, and doom and gloom, Ukraine did not fall. Ukraine is alive and kicking."

"We have no fear," he says, adding that Ukraine has won the first phase of the invasion.

"The Russian tyranny has lost control over us," he adds.

Image source, EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock

Zelensky starts by thanking Congress and addresses Americans directly - "all those who value freedom and justice".

"I hope my words of respect and gratitude resonate in each American heart," he says.

Members of the US Congress got out of their chairs to give a raucous applause for Zelensky as he rose to the dais.

"I think its too much," Zelensky responded as they continued to clap.

And he's up.

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky is about to address the US Congress.

We'll be bringing you the latest updates from his speech, which is expected to last 20 to 25 minutes.

You can also watch the speech live at the top of the page.

Image source, Getty Images

Indiana Republican Congresswoman Victoria Spartz has emerged as a major supporter of Ukraine - which makes sense since she's the first Ukrainian-born member of Congress.

“I think we need to understand the situation in Ukraine. It’s not a war. It’s a genocide of the Ukrainian people by a crazy man, who cannot get over that Ukrainian people do not want to be with Soviet Union,” Spartz told CNN in March.

She met her husband on a train from Moscow to Kyiv before emigrating to the US in 2000 with him to start a soy bean farm together.

Spartz has emerged as a significant figure in the Republican party, which is trying to balance criticism of Democrat Joe Biden's foreign policy while also showing support for Ukraine.

Image source, Getty Images

Press have been allowed into the House chamber, where President Zelensky will address a joint session of Congress in about 10 minutes.

Some diplomatic choreography will follow, with a group of lawmakers escorting Zelensky in before he begins his speech.

He will address members of the House of Representatives and the Senate, including Vice-President Kamala Harris.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's office says several lawmakers will accompany Zelensky to the joint session of Congress as a part of his "escort committee".

The group includes Democratic Majority Leader Rep Steny Hoyer as well as the three lawmakers set to lead the House Democrats next year, Reps Hakeem Jeffries, Katherine Clark and Pete Aguilar, according, external to Pelosi's Deputy Chief of Staff Drew Hammill.

Rep Gregory Meeks, the chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and leaders of the Congressional Ukraine Caucus will also participate, Hammill said.

Kayla Epstein
BBC News

Image source, Library of Congress

Zelensky's wartime address tonight in DC comes almost exactly 81 years after British Prime Minister Winston Churchill made a similar wartime appeal to the US Congress.

It was December 1941 and the conflict had just arrived on America's doorstep. Less than three weeks prior, Japan had attacked Pearl Harbor, and President Franklin D Roosevelt had declared war on the country, marking the US's entry into the WW2.

"You do not, I am certain, underrate the severity of the ordeal to which you and we have still to be subjected," Churchill said. "The forces ranged against us are enormous. They are bitter, they are ruthless."

Read more about Churchill's historic visit here.

Image source, Getty Images

Let's step away from the White House briefly, for a wider look at ten months of conflict.

Russia sent up to 200,000 soldiers into Ukraine on 24 February - the biggest invasion in Europe since World War Two. It made unfounded claims of Nazis and genocide in the neighbouring country. It also opposed Ukraine joining the Western Nato military alliance.

Its hope was to capture the capital Kyiv and depose the government in a matter of days. Its forces quickly captured big stretches of territory, but crucially they failed to take Kyiv.

In the subsequent months, Moscow's troops were forced into a series of retreats, first in the north and then in the south.

To date, they've lost more than half the territory seized at the start of the invasion.

Putin, on the backfoot, announced a "partial mobilisation" of some 300,000 troops in September and declared four "annexed" Ukrainian regions as being Russian territory.

Russian soldiers have been accused of numerous abuses during the fighting - which Ukraine has suggested amount to genocide. Moscow denies such allegations.

• Read more background from our Europe editor Paul Kirby