Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is preparing to visit Washington

on Wednesday, according to three AP sources, in his first known trip outside the country since the Russian invasion began in February.

Two congressional sources and one person familiar with the matter confirmed the plans for the visit.

They spoke on condition of anonymity because of the extremely sensitive nature of the trip.

They said that Zelenskyi's visit, although expected, could be canceled at the last minute due to security concerns.

News of Zelenskyi's visit was first reported by Punchbowl News.

Zelensky's visit to the USA

The visit to Washington will include an address to Congress on Capitol Hill and

.

It comes as lawmakers prepare to vote on a year-end spending package that includes about $45 billion in emergency aid to Ukraine, and as the U.S. prepares to send Patriot surface-to-air missiles. 

The latest tranche of U.S. funding will be the largest U.S. infusion of aid to Ukraine, surpassing even Biden's $37 billion emergency request, and will keep funding for the war effort flowing for months to come.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi urged lawmakers to attend

Wednesday night's session.

"We are ending the special session of the 117th Congress with legislation that advances progress for the American people and supports our democracy," Pelosi wrote in a letter to colleagues on Tuesday.

"Please attend the special focus on democracy on Wednesday night."

Zelenskyi - almost every day - appealed to various parliaments and international organizations via video, and also sent his wife to foreign capitals to get help.

On Tuesday

.

In a video published by his office from a visit to Bakhmut Zelenskyi, they presented a Ukrainian flag and hinted that he would hand it over to US leaders.

"The guys handed over our beautiful Ukrainian flag with their signatures for us to hand over," Zelenskyy said in the video.

"We are not in an easy situation.

The enemy is increasing his army.

Our people are braver and need more powerful weapons.

We'll take it from the guys to Congress, to the President of the United States.

We are grateful for their support, but it is not enough.

It's a hint — it's not enough."

According to the Pentagon, the United States has allocated nearly $20 billion in security assistance to Ukraine since Russia's full-scale invasion began on February 24.

U.S. and Ukrainian officials have said the U.S. is also providing intelligence to Ukrainian forces and helping Ukraine repel Russian cyberattacks and sabotage attempts.

In March, Zelensky spoke in Congress via video link.

Wearing an army green T-shirt with a Ukrainian flag, he argued that the United States and Ukraine share common dreams and goals.

"Democracy, independence, freedom and care for everyone, for every person, for everyone who works honestly, who lives honestly, who respects the law," he said then.

"We in Ukraine want the same for our people.

All this is a normal part of your life," Zelensky noted.

Also, his visit falls on the last days of Pelosi's tenure as Speaker of the House of Representatives.

Republicans will take control of the House of Representatives in January, while Democrats will retain power in the Senate.

While Republicans appointed to lead key national security committees insist on continued support for Ukraine, there is growing concern among the rank and file of the Republican Party about the cost and duration of these efforts.

Pelosi, who visited Zelensky earlier this year in Kyiv, said it was overwhelming to see Ukrainians' commitment to democracy.

"They are fighting for democracy for all of us," she said.

Read also: 

• The media reported that it could force Zelensky to change his plans for a trip to the US

• For security reasons: Zelensky's visit to Congress has not yet been confirmed - American media

• Zelensky announced the list of weapons that Ukraine needs

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