President Volodymyr Zelensky addresses the US Congress to a standing ovation on his first foreign trip since Russia's invasion of Ukraine
Ukraine's president says "against all odds... Ukraine is alive and kicking" and will "never surrender"
He tells US lawmakers: "For the Russian army to completely pull out, more cannon and shells are needed"
After talks with US President Joe Biden, Zelensky said a "just peace" with Russia meant no compromises on Ukraine's territorial integrity
The US announced more support for Ukraine, including a Patriot missile defence system
"American people are prepared to have us stand up to bullies," Biden said, referring to Russia
Russian President Vladimir Putin insisted Russia was not to blame for the war, blaming "the policy of third countries"
Biden: 'He is willing to give his life for his country'
At a joint press conference at the White House earlier, President Biden paid tribute to Zelensky, saying "I look him in the eye, he is to his very soul who he says he is".
He added: "We will do everything in our power to see that he succeeds."
Image source, Getty ImagesMore than a 100 foreign heads of states and dignitaries have addressed Congress in US history - usually a part of a foreign leader's state visits to the US.
It's a long and impressive list, beginning with Kalakaua, King of Hawaii 148 years ago, in December 1874.
Famously, Winston Churchill addressed an informal meeting of Congress in the midst of World War Two, in December 1941.
Since then, the US has hosted world leaders from Mexico, Brazil, France, Ecuador, South Korea and more. President Zelensky has already addressed Congress during an informal session in March - though this one was over Zoom.
More recently, Olena Zelenska the first lady of Ukraine, addressed Congress in person in July.
Image source, EPA-EFE/REX/ShutterstockHouse Speaker Nancy Pelosi is meeting now with Zelensky prior to his address to Congress.
In a letter formally inviting him to speak to a joint session of Congress, Pelosi said America was "in awe of the heroism of the Ukrainian people".
The letter, released publicly on Wednesday morning, added: “In the face of Putin’s horrific atrocities, Ukrainian freedom fighters have inspired the world with an iron will and an unbreakable spirit — fighting back against Russia’s brutal, unjustified invasion.”
After a busy day, we're now waiting for Volodymyr Zelensky to make one more appeal before US lawmakers in Congress.
He is expected to speak at 19:30 local time (00:30 GMT).
Stay tuned as we will be bringing you updates from his speech here.
Ukraine has been provided with military equipment by more than 30 countries since it was invaded by Russia, including the US, Canada and the UK.
Figures show that up to 20 November, the US had committed $18.5bn (£15.1bn, external), which is considerably more than any other individual country. Germany, the UK and Poland have pledged the second, third and fourth largest amounts.
The US has announced an additional package of nearly $2bn (£1.6bn) of security assistance for Ukraine - including the Patriot missile system, which we reported on in an earlier post.
The types of weaponry and equipment being sent to Ukraine includes everything from long-range rockets through to howitzers and tanks.
Image source, .At least a dozen long-range rocket launchers - like Himars - have been sent to Ukraine by the US and European countries
Image source, EPAZelensky presented Biden with the medal during a meeting at the White House
We reported earlier on the military award that Zelensky gave to Biden during their meeting - we've got more details on that now.
It is a Ukrainian military medal known as the Cross for Military Merit. This particular one was awarded earlier this year to a Ukrainian officer for outstanding achievements on the battlefield.
That officer met Zelensky in Bakhmut earlier this week and asked him 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.
Biden had a gift for Zelensky during the meeting as well: two command coins. One is for the Ukrainian hero that wanted the President to have his medal and one is for President Zelensky.
Anthony Zurcher
North America correspondent
Image source, EPAIn March, in a video address to Congress, Zelensky crafted a powerful ending to a speech delivered in Ukrainian with a message to America in English.
“Today the Ukrainian people are defending not only Ukraine, we are fighting for the values of Europe and the world,” he said before imploring Joe Biden to be a leader of peace for all countries.
During today’s press conference, Zelensky, who spoke both in Ukrainian and English, once again effectively used English to emphasise serious matters - such as when he expressed his wishes for peace - and to offer doses of levity, correcting himself to say he was “sure” that the US and Ukraine would win the war together and joking about wanting more Patriot missile systems.
The Ukrainian president may not have the best command of the English language, but he knows that using it helps build a connection with his American audience.
Image source, EPAThe joint press conference at the White House has now ended.
Biden told the Ukrainian president, who was dressed in military clothing for his trip to Washington, "we will stay with you as long as it takes".
He added that Americans from all walks of life - Democrats and Republicans - understand why it is necessary to stop Russia.
"The American people know if we stand by in the face of such blatant attacks on liberty and democracy and the core principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity, the world will surely face worse consequences," Biden said.
Zelensky thanked Biden for sending Patriot missiles to Ukraine, saying they will "significantly" bolster their defence.
Zelensky also said that a "just peace" with Russia is impossible, due to the amount of suffering the invaders have already inflicted on their country.
There were also a few moments of levity, as Biden and Zelensky shared a few chuckles as they answered questions from Ukrainian and American journalists.
Another question from the press, this time from a US reporter, is about the importance of the two leaders meeting today.
Biden responds by saying "all politics is personal", as he has often been quoted as saying in the past.
He says there's nothing more powerful than looking an ally in the eye and having an honest conversation.
Talking about Zelensky, he says doing so has made it clear "who this guy is - he'd do anything for his country".
The US president goes on to say the US and Ukraine are united in ensuring Russia does not succeed.
Image source, EPAOn to questions from the press. A Ukrainian journalist begins by thanking the US for its support.
He says his family are in Ukraine and they wouldn't be alive today if it weren't for Biden's military help. "Thank you for this," he adds.
The TV reporter goes on to ask each leader about the prospects for peace with Russia.
Zelensky asks if he should go first, to which Biden says "he's your guy". The East Room laughs, including Zelensky.
Biden then adds: "Although I like him very much already."
Zelensky goes on to answer the question saying the invaders are already responsible for so much suffering.
"There can't be any just peace in the war that was imposed on us," he says.
He says that he can't call the Russians the names he would prefer to use, because he's in such a formal setting, but says they are "inhuman".
Biden adds that the two leaders "share the exact same vision", which is a free, independent, and prosperous Ukraine.
"We both want this war to end," he says, adding: "It could end today if Putin had any dignity at all and just said 'pull out'".
He says that today's talks were about the war, and that when Zelensky is prepared to seek peace with Russia, he will do so from a position of strength on the battlefield.
Anthony Zurcher
North America correspondent
In thanking President Joe Biden for the $45bn in economic and military aid that Congress is poised to approve, Volodymyr Zelensky described the money as an “investment” that will strengthen global security.
It’s an interesting choice of words - and a key to understanding how both Ukraine and the Biden administration want the American public to view the tens of billions of dollars of aid allocated so far. It is not a gift, it is money spent with a purpose.
Republicans, who are taking control of the House of Representatives and its investigatory committees in a few weeks, have already pledged robust oversight of US aid to Ukraine to ensure the money is not being wasted or misdirected.
There are signs that some Americans are tired of the vast sums being spent by their country to support a foreign war.
If Americans view Ukrainian aid as an investment, however, perhaps they will view it as money that will reap future rewards.
Zelensky calls the Patriot missile defence system that the US will send to Ukraine a "very important step to create secure airspace over Ukraine".
He says it will "significantly" strengthen the country's defence.
He goes on to say that he can't provide more details for security reasons, but says the country's defences will be bolstered in the coming months.
He also urged the US Congress to approve more funding, saying it will all "go towards strengthening our global security".
Russia must be held accountable for everything it's done, Zelensky tells the press conference.
Before finishing and taking questions, he once again thanks Biden for his support.
Image source, EPAOver to Zelensky now, who says he came to Washington to thank the US president and American people for their support.
He says that in the last 30 days of war in particular, Ukraine and the US became "real partners and allies".
The Ukrainian leader says he felt that partnership in talks today, before thanking Biden for his part in helping Ukraine defend itself against Russia.
Anthony Zurcher
North America correspondent
Image source, EPAThe joint press conference with Joe Biden and Volodymyr Zelensky makes for an interesting contrast.
The American president is tall, dressed in a dark blue suit with a blue and yellow striped tie.
His Ukrainian counterpart is shorter, stockier, wearing only his olive-drab sweater and pants - the attire he has promised to remain in while his country is at war.
Zelensky entered with a serious expression and held it as Biden gave his opening remarks, only nodding slightly and occasionally looking to his left to make eye contact with the American president.
The Ukrainian president only cracked the slightest smile when Biden said that he, but not Russian President Vladimir Putin, were open to pursuing peace.
Staying with the Patriot missile system, Biden says it will be a "very important step to create secure airspace over Ukraine".
He finishes his part of the presser by thanking Zelensky for being at the White House.
He says the US will continue to "stand with" Ukraine.
"Today, I'm announcing the next tranche of our security assistance in Ukraine," Biden says.
The package includes $1.85bn "that includes both direct transfers of equipment to Ukraine… as well as contracts to supply ammunition Ukraine will need in the months ahead for its artillery, its tanks, and its rocket launchers.
"Critically in addition to these new capabilities, like precision aerial munitions, the package will include a Patriot missile battery… which we’ll train Ukrainian forces to operate as part of the ongoing effort to bolster Ukraine's air defence."
Biden is talking about Ukraine's successes in the war, saying it's won the battle of Kyiv, won the battle of Kherson, won the battle of Kharkiv.
He says the country has defied Russia's expectations at every turn.
Biden thanks Congress for supporting his "omnibus bill" for Ukraine, which he says includes "$45bn of additional funding".
Image source, EPA-EFE/REX/ShutterstockBiden says that "Americans from every walk of life" - including both Democrats and Republicans "understand in our bones, that Ukraine's fight is part of something much bigger".
"The American people know if we stand by in the face of such blatant attacks on liberty and democracy and the core principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity, the world will surely face worse consequences."
Biden begins by saying he's honoured to welcome his Ukrainian counterpart back to the White House.
He says they've been in close contact since the war began but says it's been "particularly good" to meet in person and "look each other in the eye".
The US president says the meeting comes as Russian President Vladimir Putin "escalates his brutal attacks" on Ukraine. It's terrible what he's doing, Biden says.
He emphasises the need for the US and Ukraine to continue to stand together in 2023. It's been 300 days since Russia invaded, Biden adds, saying it's important for the world to keep hearing from Zelensky.
The press conference has begun. Volodymyr Zelensky and Joe Biden are in place, standing in front of Ukrainian and US flags.
Stay put, we're bringing you live updates as they come - and a reminder that you can watch it all live by pressing on the play button at the top of this page.