Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the president of Ukraine, has delivered a wartime message in defiance in Washington, DC. In it, he thanked US leaders and “ordinary Americans” for supporting his country’s fight against Russia and reminded them that military aid to Ukraine was not “charity,” but rather an “investment” in a democratic world.
Zelenskyy also stated that there might be “no compromises” when attempting to put an end to Russia’s war on his country, bringing to mind the victory that the United States of America achieved over Nazi Germany in a crucial battle during World War II.
Zelenskyy told a joint session of the US Senate and House of Representatives on Wednesday that he hoped they would continue to support his country’s war effort on a bipartisan basis. This was his first trip outside of Ukraine since the war began in February.
Zelenskyy, in his usual khaki fatigues, said in English, “Your money is not charity.”
He stated, “It is an investment in global democracy and security.”
His appeal to both parties comes at a time when Republicans are expected to gain control of the US House of Representatives in January and when some members of the party have expressed concern about the increasing amount of aid given to Kiev.
The United States has provided Kyiv with approximately $50 billion in aid, and on Wednesday, Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced an additional $1.85 billion in military assistance, including the Patriot air defense system. One of the most advanced US air defense systems, the Patriot missile system provides defense against cruise and ballistic missiles as well as aircraft attacks.
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Interactive countries that have given Ukraine weapons.
Members of Congress held up a large Ukrainian flag as Zelenskyy entered the nearly full House chamber, where he received multiple loud ovations. As Zelenskyy entered, the majority stood, cheered, and applauded. Several of them shook his hand and wore the blue and yellow colors of the Ukrainian flag.
“It is a great privilege for me to address you and all Americans at the US Congress. Ukraine survived despite every gloomy scenario. He stated, “Ukraine is alive and well.”
He continued, “We defeated Russia in the battle for the minds of the world.”
Zelenskky reminded his audience of the difficulties faced by US forces fighting to liberate Europe from Nazi occupation during World War II by referring to former US President Franklin D. Roosevelt, who served from 1933 to 1945.
He stated, “Violent Ukrainian soldiers are doing the same to Putin’s forces this Christmas as the brave American soldiers did in 1944 when they held their lines and fought back Hitler’s forces.”
The Ukrainian leader was referring to Hitler’s final significant attempt to repress the Allied forces, the Battle of the Bulge, which began in December 1944. Initial US efforts to halt the offensive were hampered by inclement weather, which resulted in numerous deaths and threatened to divide the allies, who ultimately prevailed.
In a tweet, Zelenskyy said Ukraine’s triumph over Russia “will likewise be America’s triumph”.
I thank @POTUS for the warm welcome and I deeply appreciate all the support of the U.S. and the American people. I am confident that together we will be able to secure a better, prosperous and free future for both of our nations. Ukraine’s victory will also be America’s victory. pic.twitter.com/OhclRtwIJy
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) December 22, 2022
‘United defence’
Earlier in the day on Wednesday, US President Joe Biden greeted Zelenskyy in the Oval Office and stated that the United States and Ukraine would continue to present a “united defense” against Russia’s “brutal assault on Ukraine’s right to exist as a nation.”
According to Zelenskyy, his visit proved that the “situation is under control, thanks to your support.”
When asked how Ukraine would attempt to end the conflict, Zelenskyy rejected Biden’s concept of a “just peace” and stated: For me as a president, ‘just harmony’ is no trade offs”.
He stated that Ukraine would receive “payback for all the damages inflicted by Russian aggression” and the restoration of its sovereignty, freedom, and territorial integrity would bring the war to an end.
He continued, “There can’t be any “just peace” in the war that was forced on us.”
After ten months of a brutal war that left tens of thousands of people dead on both sides and devastated Ukrainian civilians and their cities, towns, and villages, the highly sensitive trip will take place.
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In light of concerns that allies are becoming weary of the costly war and its disruption to global food and energy supplies, the purpose of Zelenskyy’s visit is to rekindle support for his nation in the United States and around the world.
Russia is “trying to use winter as a weapon,” according to Biden, “but Ukrainian people continue to inspire the world.”
Biden stated that Russian President Vladimir Putin has “no intention of stopping this cruel war” during a joint news conference.
Throughout the visit, Zelenskyy made it clear that he will continue to press Biden and other Western leaders for more military support. However, the two leaders appeared to have a warm rapport with one another, laughing at each other’s comments and patting each other on the back.
He stated that “we will send another signal to President Biden that we would like to get more Patriots” once the Patriot system was operational.
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Zelenskyy added, “We are in the war,” and Biden laughed at the direct request from the Ukrainian leader.
Zelenskyy’s arrival in the United States comes just a few days after he made a daring and risky trip to what he called the hottest spot on the 1,300-kilometer (800-mile) front line of the war – the city of Bakhmut in Ukraine’s contested Donetsk region. Biden stated that it is “important for the American people, and for the world, to hear directly from you, Mr. President, about Ukraine’s fight, and the need to
Zelenskyy made his way there on Tuesday and, as artillery blared in the background, he praised the Ukrainian troops for their “courage, resilience, and strength.”
Zelenskyy’s visit to the United States, according to Penta Center’s Volodymyr Fesenko, “should determine the course of the war – Zelensky for the first time dared to leave Ukraine and is counting on being able to maintain, and possibly even strengthen, US military and economic assistance,”
Russia will achieve its stated goals in Ukraine and utilize the combat experience to strengthen its military, Putin assured the military leaders of his nation on Wednesday. Sergei Shoigu, his defense minister, stated that Russia’s current 1 million soldiers should be increased to 1.5 million for the conflict in Ukraine.
