Emma Owen
In Washington DC

That's it for our live coverage of Zelensky's visit to Washington today.

No doubt the discussions over aid will continue - we expect an announcement on an aid package later, and our colleagues will cover that when it comes.

If you want to read about why this is a contentious issue, you can read our correspondent Anthony Zurcher's analysis here, and you can also read the thoughts of our voter panel.

Today's contributors were Jamie Whitehead, Courtney Lewis, Lisa Lambert, Nathan Williams, Brandon Livesay and Brandon Drenon along with Anthony Zurcher and Gary O'Donoghue at the White House. This page was edited by Marianna Brady and Emma Owen.

Ukranian President Volodymyr Zelensky made several stops in Washington DC today.

His arrival comes amid escalating Russian conflict on Ukrainian soil, wavering support among Republicans in providing US foreign aid to Ukraine, and an announcement from Poland on Wednesday that the country would no longer be sending arms to Ukraine.

The White House used the visit to reaffirm its "longstanding commitment" to Ukraine, and said that an additional aid package was in the works, while the previous aid package appears doomed to stall in Congress.

Here's a recap of today's events:

• President Zelensky's first stop was at the US Capitol, where he met with US Senators, categorising the discussions as "very strong dialogue". US Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer recalled Zelensky saying: "'If we don't get the aid, we will lose the war.'"
• Zelensky also met with House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, arguably the most fraught appointment on his DC agenda. McCarthy told reporters after the meeting he would not commit to putting a $24bn Ukraine aid package on the floor for a vote this year.
• Zelensky visited the 9/11 memorial at the US Pentagon and laid a wreath to pay tribute to victims of the attack after meeting with Secretary Lloyd Austin.
• He then joined Ukrainian First Lady Olena Zelenska for a trip to the White House. There, President Zelensky met with President Biden where each read brief, prepared remarks to the press. Zelensky thanked the president for US aid, and Biden applauded Ukraine's bravery.

President Biden used his televised remarks to Zelensky in the Oval Office to reassert the White House's "long term commitment to Ukraine's security" and the goal of "lasting peace".

He kept his remarks short, reading from a script.

Biden applauded Zelensky and the Ukrainian people's bravery in their efforts to defend against the Russian invasion. They've "literally inspired the world," Biden said.

"The American people... the world stands with you."

President Zelensky is now sitting across from President Biden in the Oval Office.

It's their sixth in-person meeting this year and third time meeting at the White House.

In pre-prepared remarks, Zelensky thanked the US and Biden for the aid his country has received until now.

"Thank you for the invitation... and for the vital assistance provided by the United States to Ukraine to combat Russian terror," he said.

The presidents are now briefing the press - reading from scripted notes.

We'll bring you what they say shortly.

Gary O'Donoghue
reporting from the White House

Image source, Getty Images

A car pulled up, the Ukrainian President got out, and then the group stood for a short moment for photos.

Zelensky answered one shouted question about the importance of aid, to which he said “very important”

These two men know that the future of Ukraine funding is in the balance, and the problem lies with Congress, where some Republicans who are not happy about continuing to fund the war.

Image source, US pool

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and his wife Olena have arrived at the White House and are being greeted by President Biden and his wife Jill.

We'll keep you updated with everything that happens and don't forget, you can stream Zelensky's visit by pressing Play at the top of this page.

While we're waiting for Zelensky and Biden to appear, here's a graphic illustrating the sums of money we're talking about.

Image source, .

Anthony Zurcher
BBC North America correspondent

The southern driveway is now lined with a military colour guard and soldiers holding US and Ukrainian flags stand beside the red carpet.

Anthony Zurcher
BBC North America correspondent

I’m in a crowd of approximately 75 journalists who have gathered on the south lawn of the White House to await Zelensky’s arrival.

A red carpet leads into the presidential mansion, and a group of US military in dress uniforms stand nearby.

Zelensky has tweeted about his meeting with top leaders in the House of Representatives, namely Speaker Kevin McCarthy, Majority Leader Steve Scalise and Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries.

He doesn't provide details about the meeting, but the post is notable for his words of gratitude.

"Ukraine is sincerely grateful to the House, both parties, and the entire American people for all the support," Zelensky writes.

Republicans McCarthy and Scalise are under pressure from the conservative wing of their party to end aid for Ukraine. Democrats, led by President Joe Biden, are more united in wanting to continue to support Ukraine

Zelensky's post also describes the argument he made for further aid that sounds like a bid for bipartisanship:

Zelensky is now on his way to the White House, where he and his wife, Olena Zelenska, will be greeted by President Biden and First Lady Jill Biden.

This is Zelensky's second visit to the White House since the war began - the first was last December.

Laura is semi-retired and lives in a Republican-dominant area. She is concerned about threats to democracy.

"Ukraine has been an independent country for 30 years. Putin's brutality has made Russia an international pariah. I'm horrified by every aspect of this invasion.

"When this war is over, as it will be someday, Ukraine will be a wasteland regardless of who wins. Rebuilding will take decades and require more money than has been spent so far.

"I am glad that we have financially and materially supported Ukraine but I am concerned how much longer support will last. We should focus on getting material aid to Ukraine faster.

"I would like to say that support will go on as long as it is needed, but money and equipment are not bottomless and the American people in general have a short attention span."

Crystal has been vocal about her support for Donald Trump over the years and echoes Mr Trump's sentiments to put "America first".

"I can't support more aid to Ukraine. The US has already given many billions. I feel that more money will not serve the interests of the American people.

"It's time to take care of America now, as we have a border problem that has caused a humanitarian crisis.

"There are over 70,000 homeless people in Los Angeles and other states are being affected by homeless problems, too.

"Inflation with food and gas prices are another issue that doesn't seem to be getting better. I also think that [the government] should be more transparent with where this money to Ukraine is going."

With parents from Denmark, Alex is first-generation American - helping Ukraine is a top issue for him. For most of his life he was a Republican, but has shifted away from the party since the US Capitol riot.

"I think the aid that we are providing is very important for the people in Ukraine and the surrounding areas. As long as Ukrainians have a spirit to fight, we should continue to support.

Also, I think it's very important for our own country. The lessons that Ukrainians are learning on the battlefield are going to save our soldiers' lives in the next conflict. America has not fought a war like Ukraine is currently fighting since 1945.

"The fact that we cannot manufacture enough artillery shells and ammunition supplies to even support half of what Ukraine is consuming shows that there is a major blind spot in our defence industry.

"My personal belief is that we would already be in a recession in the United States if it were not for the war in Ukraine - money spent on military equipment benefits everyone here.

"We should continue to supply them with whatever they need, but I do strongly feel that that should be done in terms of tanks, planes, and artillery instead of just giving them a big cheque."

Joshua is a Mexican/Israeli-American who is a left-leaning independent. He grew up around conservatives and appreciates conversations across the aisle. Foreign policy is a top issue for him.

"The United States has done an incredible job of leading funding, and supporting the Ukrainian army from the beginning of the war, and picked up the slack where other European countries, like Germany, fell short at the beginning.

"Now that European countries are increasing the amount of funding and support to Ukraine, the US should be looking at more of a long-term solution to funding Ukraine.

"I think we should keep supporting Ukraine till the end of this war, but American taxpayers deserve an evaluation and an understanding of where and how their money is being used.

"The Biden administration needs to do a better job communicating why we are giving so much money to the Ukrainian army and provide a long-term roadmap to how the money will keep Americans safe."

Emma Owen
In Washington DC

Talking of voters, we have been asking our regular panel how they feel about the issue of funds for Ukraine.

The US is the largest military donor to the country, having spent over $46bn (£37bn) so far, plus tens of billions more in financial and humanitarian aid.

But continued support is far from assured, with many Republicans sceptical.

Over the next few posts, we'll bring you a flavour of what some of them think.

Stand by.

It's important to remind the public about "why Ukraine matters", Pentagon Press Secretary Pat Ryder tells reporters when asked about support for Ukraine possibly flagging.

"If Russia were to succeed in eliminating Ukraine as a nation, they won't stop there," he says.

"And I have no doubt that countries like China are watching and seeing how the US and the international community have rallied and responded in support of in aiding Ukraine. So there's definitely a deterrent effect there as well."

Ryder also addresses questions about scepticism in Congress about providing millions of dollars in aid to Ukraine by saying the administration will work to ensure that lawmakers "have the information they need to make informed decisions".