Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has addressed United States Congress in a historical visit to Washington.
He received a standing ovation in Congress when he arrived.
Catch up on Thursday's updates.
Key events
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By Bridget Judd
This is where we'll have to leave the live blog for this afternoon, but thanks for following along.
And a big thanks to the ABC's North America correspondents Jade Macmillan, Barbara Miller and Carrington Clarke for dropping by to unpack today's events.
You can catch up on Thursday's developments below, or download the ABC News app and subscribe to our range of news alerts for the latest news.
You can also stay across the key takeaways from Volodymyr Zelenskyy's visit to Washington.
There was no 'mathematical formula' for the right day for Zelenskyy to visit
By Bridget Judd
It's just gone after 8:30pm over in Washington, with the Ukrainian President's address to Congress marking the end of his visit to the US.
The surprise visit to Washington all happened pretty quickly — and it started with a secretive train ride to Poland late on Tuesday (local time).
His visit had been planned for days and organised in secret because of concerns about his safety, but the details were soon leaked.
- On Wednesday morning (local time), he arrived in the southern Polish city of Przemysl, where he was spotted at the train station according to footage from private broadcaster TVN.
- In Poland, Mr Zelenskyy boarded a US government plane which landed at about noon on Wednesday at an airport south-east of Washington.
There was no "mathematical formula" for the right day for Mr Zelenskyy to make this trip, a senior Biden administration official told reporters late on Tuesday, ahead of the visit.
"Of course, it ultimately was his decision to make. He concluded that those security parameters were met. What he needed, we agreed with that, and so we are executing accordingly," the official said.
In pictures: Volodymyr Zelenskyy tells US Congress its decisions 'can save millions of people'
By Bridget Judd
During his special visit to Congress, Zelenskyy had a lot to get across
By Bridget Judd
The ABC's Barbara Miller was in Congress for the speech, and says the Ukrainian leader sought to convince politicians that this is their war too.
Barbara: In a speech which lasted around half an hour, Volodymyr Zelenskyy had a lot to get across.
His is a message of strength and defiance, “Ukraine didn’t fall, Ukraine is alive and kicking.”
It’s also one of thanks, but.
“We have artillery. Yes, thank, you, we have it."
Is it enough?
"Honestly, not really.”
The Ukrainian leader is also seeking to convince anyone growing weary of pouring billions into helping his country that this is their war too.
The war he tells the audience will determine what sort of world our children and grandchildren inherit.
“It cannot be ignored, hoping that the ocean or something else will provide a protection.
From the United States to China, from Europe to Latin America, and from Africa to Australia, the world is too interconnected.”
Zelenskyy: 'We will win because we are united — Ukraine, America and the entire free world'
By Bridget Judd
In his final remarks to Congress, Mr Zelenskyy presented a flag to House speaker Nancy Pelosi and Vice President Kamala Harris.
"When I was in Bakhmut yesterday, our heroes gave me the flag, battle flag. The flag of those who defend Ukraine, Europe and the world at the cost of their lives
They asked me to bring this flag to you, to the US Congress... Senators whose decisions can save millions of people. So let these decisions be taken, let this flag stay with you.
"This flag is a symbol of our victory in this war. We stand, we fight, and we will win because we are united — Ukraine, America and the entire free world."
Zelenskyy: Ukraine will celebrate Christmas, 'even if there is no electricity'
By Bridget Judd
He says "the light of our faith in ourselves will not be put out".
"If Russian missiles attacked us, we will do our best to protect ourselves," he says.
"If they attack us with Iranians drones and our people will have to go to bomb shelters on Christmas Eve, Ukrainians will still sit down at the holiday table and cheer up each other."
Wrapping up his address, Mr Zelenskyy is thanking Congress and the American people for their support.
"I thank your cities and your citizens who supported Ukraine this year, who hosted our Ukrainians, our people, who waved our national flags, who acted to help us," he says.
"Thank you all from everyone who is now at the front line, from everyone who is awaiting victory."
Volodymyr Zelenskyy tells Congress 'it is in your power' to help bring an end to the war
By Bridget Judd
The Ukrainian President says restoring international legal order is a "joint task", thanking Joe Biden for "supporting our peace initiative today".
"Each of you, ladies and gentlemen, can assist in the implementation to ensure that American leadership remains solid and bipartisan," he says.
"You can strengthen sanctions to make Russia feel how ruinous its aggression truly is. It is in your power, really, to help us bring to justice everyone who started this unprovoked and criminal war."
Ukrainian President says emergency support from the US in not 'charity'
By Bridget Judd
Mr Zelenskyy continues that he's never asked American soldiers "to fight on our land instead of us".
"I assure you that Ukrainian soldiers can perfectly operate American tanks and planes themselves," he says.
"Financial assistance is also critically important, and I would like to thank you, thank you very much, thank you for both financial packages you have already provided us with, and the ones you may be willing to decide on. Your money is not charity.
"It is an investment in the global security and democracy that we handle in the most responsible way."
Russia has 'everything', but Ukraine's 'defence forces stand'
By Bridget Judd
Mr Zelenskyy has turned the focus to emergency support now, telling Congress that "Russians use everything they have' against Ukraine.
"The occupiers have a significant advantage in artillery," he says.
"They have an advantage in ammunition, they have much more missiles and planes than we ever had. It's true, but our defence forces stand."
Pointing to the need for continued support, the Ukrainian President says Russia is targeting them with missile attacks.
"More than that, Russia found an ally in this genocidal policy, Iran," he says.
"Iranian deadly drones sent to Russia in their hundreds became a threat to our critical infrastructure."
Next year will be a 'turning point' for 'Ukrainian courage and American resolve'
By Bridget Judd
The Ukrainian President says the world is too "interconnected and interdependent" to allow the war to continue.
"Our two nations our allies in this battle," he says.
"And next year will be a turning point, I know it, the point when Ukrainian courage and American resolve must guarantee the future of our common freedom, the freedom of people who stand for their values."
Zelenskyy: 'Ukraine didn't fall. Ukraine is alive and kicking'
By Bridget Judd
The Ukrainian President says despite "doom and gloom scenarios", Ukraine is "alive and kicking".
Barbara Miller: With these words the members are on their feet again. I think there are going to be a fair few standing ovations tonight.
Mr Zelenskyy continues that "we have to defeat the Kremlin on the battlefield".
"This battle is not only for the territory, for this or another part of Europe, the battle is not only for life, freedom and security of Ukrainians or any other nation, which Russia attempts to conquer," he says.
Zelenskyy: 'I hope my words of respect and gratitude' are felt by Americans
By Bridget Judd
Mr Zelenskyy is beginning his address.
"Dear Americans, in all states, cities and communities, all those who value freedom and justice, who cherish it as strongly as we Ukrainians in all our cities, in each and every family, I hope my words of respect and gratitude is innate in each American heart."
There was a standing ovation from the Ukranian special guests in the visitors' gallery.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy has arrived in US Congress to applause
By Bridget Judd
The ABC's Barbara Miller is there. She's says several members are holding up the Ukrainian flag.
Barbara: Cheers and an immediate standing ovation for President Zelenskyy as he enters Congress — a long and hearty applause. No-one is in a rush to sit down.
Mr Zelenskyy jokes after: "It is too much for me!"
The US will 'stand with Ukraine in the fight for freedom until the war is won'
By Bridget Judd
That's according to House speaker Nancy Pelosi, who took to social media a short time ago to reiterate the United States' commitment after her meeting with Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Don't forget, you can also download the ABC News app and subscribe to our range of news alerts for the latest news.
While we wait for Volodymyr Zelenskyy to arrive...
By Bridget Judd
The ABC's Barbara Miller (who is currently in Congress) notes that a record number of women — 149 — will serve in the House and Senate from next year.
Barbara: The US has come far on gender equality, with a female Vice-President, and female Speaker of the House, but there’s a long way to go.
Women only make up about a quarter of those represented and looking down at the members from the press gallery it’s very noticeable how many more men there are.
There will be a few formalities before the President of Ukraine makes his address
By Bridget Judd
The live stream has just started and people are filtering into the room.
There'll be a few formalities before the Ukrainian President begins his address at around 10:30am AEST/11:30am AEDT.
We'll bring you those updates as they happen.
Inside Congress, there's a 'buzz' around Zelenskyy's visit
By Bridget Judd
The ABC's Barbara Miller is in Congress ahead of Mr Zelenskyy's appearance in the next 15 minutes.
Barbara: Congress is slowly filling up with minutes to go before the final act of President Zelenskyy’s visit, his address to this joint session.
Reporters have been given strict instructions not to take any photographs at all, including selfies, unless they are accredited photographers.
There’s a buzz here, a sense of anticipation.
Some of the members are wearing Ukraine’s colours, yellow and blue, showing their solidarity by their choice of scarf, tie and jacket.
WATCH: US President says Ukrainian people 'continue to inspire the world'
By Bridget Judd
The US Senate could approve emergency aid for Ukraine as soon as today
By Bridget Judd
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell have used today to urge colleagues to vote for the measure.
Mr Schumer said the worst thing Congress could do now is give Russian President Vladimir Putin any signal that the US is wavering in its commitment to defend Ukraine.
Mr McConnell is facing pushback from many Republicans who don't support the spending bill and resent being forced to vote on the package with so little time before a potential shutdown and the Christmas holiday.
He highlighted the bill's spending boost for defence and said that non-defence spending would increase below the rate of inflation.
“If Republicans controlled this chamber, we would have handled the appropriations process entirely differently from top to bottom," McConnell said.
“But given the reality of where we stand today, senators have two options this week, just two: we will either give our Armed Forces the resources and the certainty that they need, or we will deny it to them."
Sending Patriot air-defence systems to Ukraine isn't just about hitting Russian missiles
By Bridget Judd
They are in high demand, short supply and considered one of the most advanced US air-defence systems.
But despite allies around the world vying to get their hands on the long-range Patriot missile-defence systems, the Biden administration has finally agreed to send one to Ukraine.
"It's not really about the air defence, it's not really about the missiles — this is much more of a political thing," John Erath, senior policy director for the US Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation, told the ABC.
The decision is a potentially pivotal move in the conflict, which shows the United States' deepening commitment to Ukraine.
It may also indicate a broader shift in the West's willingness to send more sophisticated weapons systems to the battlefield.
You can read the full story by Annika Burgess below 👇
