Ukraine's president, Viktor Yushchenko, is to address a joint meeting of the U.S. Congress next week.

Senate Majority leader Bill Frist and House Speaker Dennis Hastert say they look forward to hearing from the Ukrainian leader April 6.

In a statement, the lawmakers said Mr. Yushchenko's election last year is inspiring the spread of democracy throughout the world.

Mr. Yushchenko meets President Bush at the White House Monday.

Last year's presidential election in Ukraine was a bitter contest marred by controversy.

Mr. Yushchenko defeated his rival Viktor Yanukovych in a repeat election held after Ukraine's Supreme Court threw out the results of a previous vote because of widespread fraud.