Image source, Reuters

There's still no sign of Zelensky emerging from his first meeting. While we wait, let's quickly turn our attention to how Russia is viewing today's events.

Moscow has played down the consequences of further US funding for Ukraine, alleging the aid is "doomed".

According to the Russian-state news agency Tass, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Russia would follow the talks closely.

He reportedly said: "It’s certainly important that everyone realise that the tens of billions of dollars that were previously pumped into Ukraine did not help it achieve any success on the battlefield.

"The tens of billions of dollars that Ukraine wants to be pumped into its economy will be equally doomed."

It looks like the meeting between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer is nearly over.

Microphones are set up outside the room they are currently inside of, so we could hear a statement very soon.

You can watch a livestream by clicking the Play button at the top of this page.

While we wait for President Zelensky to emerge from his meeting with senators, let's take a look at what else he has been doing in the US.

Zelensky arrived in Washington on Monday and began meeting with various US officials to plead his nation's case for further aid.

In an address to military officials he argued that Ukraine is not fighting just for its own freedom - but for global democracy. Zelensky said US politicians should not "betray the soldiers" that are on the frontlines.

He further warned the drying up of US aid was being cheered by Russian President Vladimir Putin, who would not be satisifed with taking just Ukraine.

Zelensky will spend today making the same arguments, but this time to Republican lawmakers who have blocked an earlier aid package in Congress.

Ukraine fended off Russia's original attack, but its much-vaunted counter-attack this year has stalled and there have been signs of fatigue among Western nations that stepped up to support it militarily.

Lacking air superiority and faced with formidable Russian defences, Ukraine's efforts likely won't gain momentum as winter sets in.

President Biden said the failure to agree to Ukraine aid would be a "gift" for President Vladimir Putin, warning history would "judge harshly those who turned their back on freedom's cause".

Oleksiy Danilov, who co-ordinates the country's war cabinet described the current situation on the frontline as "very difficult" and said that old "textbooks" for war - including Nato ones - "should be sent back to the archives".

Bernd Debusmann Jr
Reporting from Capitol Hill

The most recent aid bill for Ukraine includes about $61bn (£48.6bn), forming a significant chunk of Biden's larger $110bn national security proposal.

The package also includes funds for Israel and aid for Gaza, and some of the Ukraine aid will go to help replenish US weapon stockpiles. The fund also includes $15.1bn for military training, intelligence sharing and to support US troops in Europe.

More than $13bn will be directed to help support Ukraine's economy, which has been deeply damaged by Russia's invasion. Much of that fund will be focused on transportation and energy sectors.

Since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, Congress has approved more than $110bn in military and economic aid to Ukraine. Much of that money has already been distributed, however.

That's led to grim warnings from the White House and Kyiv about the prospect of the war effort without US support.

Bernd Debusmann Jr
Reporting from Capitol Hill

Image source, Getty Images

We've just seen President Zelensky enter the meeting of senators in the US Capitol. He was flanked by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell, a bipartisan show of support for Ukraine. Zelensky did not answer when reporters yelled: "What's at stake for your country today?" They are now in a closed door meeting that is expected to last about an hour.

We have been told that they may deliver brief remarks afterwards, although that is by no means certain.

Anthony Zurcher
BBC North America correspondent

Last week, Volodymyr Zelensky cancelled a planned video conference with US senators, citing an undisclosed “last-minute” matter.

A week later, he is meeting face-to-face with the senators who could decide his nation’s fate, making a last-ditch pitch for more US military support for Ukraine.

Like his most recent visit – and unlike the Ukrainian president’s first trip to Washington – there is no grand speech to a joint session of Congress, with legislators cheering his nation’s heroism and his talk of liberty and freedom.

At this point, there is too much opposition to continued US aid to Ukraine – among the lawmakers in Congress and the American people in general – to support such a public act.

Instead, Zelensky is joining the Biden administration’s effort to break through congressional opposition in closed-door meetings with senators, away from the media spotlight.

A breakthrough, if it happens, will come from the give-and-take of negotiations, and not by acclamation in a packed legislative chamber.

Any success for Zelensky as this point is likely to be a modest victory, reflecting the fact that the US can no longer be seen as endless source of aid.

And opponents of continued support for Ukraine, who have become increasingly vocal in recent months, are sure to take their case to the America voters in November, when a change of power in the White House or the Senate could definitively slam the door on further US help.

Bernd Debusmann Jr
Reporting from Capitol Hill

I've just arrived at the US Capitol building, where we are expecting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at 0900 local time.

At the moment, I'm sitting outside the Mansfield Room on the Senate side of Congress. Zelensky's day will begin here, with a meeting of Senators.

When he walks in, he'll be flanked by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Senate Republican Leader McConnell.

Senate staff tell me that they may make a few remarks after their meeting, which will last about an hour.

Afterwards, Zelensky will head across the building to the House side, where he will meet with House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Speaker House Mike Johnson.

Stay with us for more updates.

Brandon Livesay
US reporter

Hello and welcome to our live coverage of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who is in Washington DC to try and save a $61bn defence package which has stalled in US Congress.

The aid is embroiled in US domestic, partisan politics, with Republicans demanding concessions on border funding before they approve to give the cash to Ukraine.

It marks Zelensky's third visit to the US since Russia's 2022 invasion.

The week is a crucial one for Ukraine, with the EU also deciding whether to open accession talks to the bloc.

Zelensky spoke to US Military leaders on Monday and said any delay in funding is a gift to Russia’s president Vladimir Putin.

He will make that same urgent plea to lawmakers today.