WASHINGTON — In a wartime handle to a joint session of the U.S. Congress, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy urged lawmakers and all Individuals to proceed supporting his nation with navy and monetary assist because it fights for its existence in opposition to a revanchist Russia, warning that something wanting victory would threaten the free world, together with the USA.
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Throughout his 22-minute speech from the rostrum of the Home of Representatives on December 21, Zelenskiy harassed that Ukraine can win the conflict in opposition to a better-armed Russian Military, however mentioned U.S. navy and monetary assist was “essential” to attaining closing victory.
As he requested for extra assist, Zelenskiy sought to hammer residence to the American individuals {that a} conflict being fought 1000’s of miles away in cities they by no means heard of involved them straight. He harassed that world freedom and democracy in addition to American safety have been at stake in Ukraine and in contrast conflict with Russia to the U.S. Conflict of Independence.
Ukraine’s protection “shouldn’t be just for life, freedom, and the safety of Ukrainians. It is going to outline whether or not [there] shall be democracy for Ukrainians and for Individuals,” Zelenskiy, wearing his signature, military-style olive-green sweater and trousers, mentioned in English.
The conflict “can’t be frozen or postponed, it can’t be ignored, hoping that the ocean or one thing else will present safety.”
Zelenskiy’s journey to the USA comes as Congress prepares to vote on a sweeping spending invoice that features a provision to allocate an estimated $45 billion in further navy assist to Ukraine.
Whereas the invoice is predicted to cross, U.S. assist for Ukraine has waned because the 10-month conflict drags on and as Individuals really feel the pinch from excessive inflation.
Many members of the Republican social gathering, which is able to take management of the Home in January, have criticized large assist to Ukraine at a time when the U.S. financial system is struggling and in addition questioned how the help is getting used. In the meantime, some members of the Democratic social gathering have expressed concern that rising navy assist to Ukraine will provoke Russia.
Zelenskiy sought to deal with these issues head on, saying U.S. assist was not “charity” however reasonably “an funding in world safety and democracy that we deal with in essentially the most accountable manner.”
Zelenskiy informed Congress that he had introduced Biden with a 10-point peace plan however didn’t disclose its contents. The announcement of such a peace plan may soothe these members of Congress who had been calling for extra diplomacy and fewer assist.
Zelenskiy additionally mentioned that Iran — which the USA has labeled a terrorist state — had basically allied with Russia in its conflict in opposition to his nation, promoting tons of of lethal kamikaze drones to Moscow.
“That’s how one terrorist has discovered the opposite,” he mentioned, a reference to Ukraine’s designation of Russia as a terrorist state as effectively.
“It’s only a matter of time when they may strike in opposition to your different allies if we don’t cease them now,” he mentioned.
Zelenskiy’s go to to Washington got here a day after his journey to Bakhmut, a metropolis in jap Ukraine on the coronary heart of the conflict.
Russia has been making an attempt to seize Bakhmut for months, shelling the town nonstop and throwing wave after wave of troopers into the battle.
The seize of Bakhmut would permit Russia to disrupt Ukraine’s provide traces but additionally open the door for a future offensive on two larger Ukrainian cities with extra business and rail entry.
In his handle, Zelenskiy in contrast the heroism of Ukrainian troopers defending Bakhmut to that proven by U.S. troops combating Hitler’s navy within the Battle of the Bulge in 1944, additionally in the course of the Christmas season.
“Bakhmut stands,” Zelenskiy mentioned to cheers. “Ukraine holds its traces and can by no means give up.”
He additionally in contrast the combating in Bakhmut to the Battle of Saratoga in the course of the U.S. Conflict of Independence. The Individuals gained that battle in opposition to the English, turning the tide of the conflict.
Zelenskiy mentioned “extra cannons and shells are wanted” to drive the Russians from Bakhmut and open a path to Ukraine’s closing victory.
“Your assist is essential, not simply to face in such a battle, however to get to the turning level to win on the battlefield.
WATCH: Ukraine is getting ready for the potential for a brand new, large-scale offensive by Russian forces early within the new yr. Russia continues to amass troops in neighboring Belarus, a rustic that Moscow has used as a launching floor to assault Ukraine.
Zelenskiy didn’t straight ask Congress throughout his handle for Abrams tanks, F-16 fighter jets, or the long-range, guided missiles referred to as ATACMS. Ukraine’s navy has been in search of these weapons for months however the Biden administration has refused as of but to provide the inexperienced gentle.
Zelenskiy although not directly hinted on the want for fighter jets throughout his handle, saying Ukraine doesn’t want U.S. troops on the bottom as a result of his troopers can “completely function American tanks and planes themselves.”
Zelenskiy concluded his speech by thanking each events of Congress and the American individuals for his or her assist of Ukraine.
Elise Giuliano, a professor of political science at Columbia College’s Harriman Institute for Russian, Eurasian, and East European Research, informed RFE/RL that Zelenskiy was efficient in speaking to Individuals.
“He’s interesting to our curiosity in defending democracy but additionally in our personal safety,” she mentioned. He’s “additionally searching for these factors of commonality” between the 2 international locations.
Giuliano mentioned that it was sensible of Zelenskiy to focus on Iran’s assist for Russia as a result of many Individuals readily establish Tehran as a “unhealthy” and “aggressive” actor that the USA must “stand as much as.” .
Zelenskiy had arrived within the U.S. capital earlier within the day on his first journey overseas for the reason that begin of Russia’s invasion 10 months in the past.
He held a gathering with U.S. President Joe Biden on the White Home to debate assist and the course of the conflict earlier than holding talks with Congressional leaders from each events.
Biden introduced a brand new $1.85 billion safety help bundle for Ukraine that features a Patriot air protection battery.
Ukrainian leaders have pleaded for the Patriots to be supplied, and Zelenskiy mentioned throughout a information convention with Biden that he would probably ask for extra. Ukraine wants them to stop the destruction of the nation’s civilian infrastructure, together with lack of electrical energy and warmth within the chilly winter months
