 U.S. official reveals the reason behind Zelensky's Washington trip. A top U.S. official has explained the reason behind the Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky's surprise visit to Washington on Wednesday. In an interview with CNN today, John Kirby, the Strategic Communications Coordinator at the National Security Council, said that Joe Biden invited Zelensky because he believes the war in Ukraine has entered a new stage. The president really believes that as we approach winter, as we enter a new phase in this war, Mr. Putin's aggression, that is a good time for the two leaders to sit down face-to-face and talk, Kirby said. The official noted that the two leaders might also discuss how the war will end. I have no doubt they are going to talk about President Zelensky's notion of a just peace, Kirby went on saying. Mr. Putin is obviously not interested in diplomacy right now. Quite the contrary, he is interested in killing more Ukrainian civilians, Kirby said. The official noted that Washington's ensuring Zelensky's safety during the visit. Zelensky traveled to Washington today in his first visit to U.S. since the start of the war in his country in February. Before the trip, Zelensky wrote on his Twitter account that the visit was aimed at bolstering his country's defense capabilities and also included discussions around the U.S.-Ukraine cooperation. The visit comes amid Washington's announcement to send Ukraine a $1.85 billion aid package that will include much-expected Patriot missile system.