WASHINGTON — In a wartime handle to a joint session of the U.S. Congress, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy urged lawmakers and all People to proceed supporting his nation with army and monetary support because it fights for its existence in opposition to a revanchist Russia, warning that something wanting victory would threaten the free world, together with america.
Dwell Briefing: Russia’s Invasion Of Ukraine
RFE/RL’s Dwell Briefing provides you the entire newest developments on Russia’s ongoing invasion, Kyiv’s counteroffensive, Western army support, world response, and the plight of civilians. For all of RFE/RL’s protection of the struggle, click on right here.
Throughout his 22-minute speech from the rostrum of the Home of Representatives on December 21, Zelenskiy burdened that Ukraine can win the struggle in opposition to a better-armed Russian Army, however stated U.S. army and monetary support was “essential” to attaining remaining victory.
As he requested for extra support, Zelenskiy sought to hammer dwelling to the American individuals {that a} struggle being fought 1000’s of miles away in cities they by no means heard of involved them instantly. He burdened that world freedom and democracy in addition to American safety have been at stake in Ukraine and in contrast struggle with Russia to the U.S. Battle of Independence.
Ukraine’s protection “just isn’t just for life, freedom, and the safety of Ukrainians. It can outline whether or not [there] shall be democracy for Ukrainians and for People,” Zelenskiy, wearing his signature, military-style olive-green sweater and trousers, stated in English.
The struggle “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 america comes as Congress prepares to vote on a sweeping spending invoice that features a provision to allocate an estimated $45 billion in extra army support to Ukraine.
Whereas the invoice is predicted to cross, U.S. help for Ukraine has waned because the 10-month struggle drags on and as People really feel the pinch from excessive inflation.
Many members of the Republican celebration, which is able to take management of the Home in January, have criticized large support to Ukraine at a time when the U.S. economic system is struggling and likewise questioned how the help is getting used. In the meantime, some members of the Democratic celebration have expressed concern that rising army support to Ukraine will provoke Russia.
Zelenskiy sought to deal with these considerations head on, saying U.S. support was not “charity” however moderately “an funding in world safety and democracy that we deal with in probably the most accountable manner.”
Zelenskiy advised Congress that he had offered Biden with a 10-point peace plan however didn’t disclose its contents. The announcement of such a peace plan might soothe these members of Congress who had been calling for extra diplomacy and fewer support.
Zelenskiy additionally stated that Iran — which america has labeled a terrorist state — had primarily allied with Russia in its struggle in opposition to his nation, promoting a whole bunch of lethal kamikaze drones to Moscow.
“That’s how one terrorist has discovered the opposite,” he stated, a reference to Ukraine’s designation of Russia as a terrorist state as nicely.
“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 stated.
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 struggle.
Russia has been making an attempt to seize Bakhmut for months, shelling the town nonstop and throwing wave after wave of troopers into the combat.
The seize of Bakhmut would permit Russia to disrupt Ukraine’s provide traces but additionally open the door for a future offensive on two greater 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 preventing Hitler’s army within the Battle of the Bulge in 1944, additionally in the course of the Christmas season.
“Bakhmut stands,” Zelenskiy stated to cheers. “Ukraine holds its traces and can by no means give up.”
He additionally in contrast the preventing in Bakhmut to the Battle of Saratoga in the course of the U.S. Battle of Independence. The People received that battle in opposition to the English, turning the tide of the struggle.
Zelenskiy stated “extra cannons and shells are wanted” to drive the Russians from Bakhmut and open a path to Ukraine’s remaining victory.
“Your help is essential, not simply to face in such a combat, however to get to the turning level to win on the battlefield.
WATCH: Ukraine is getting ready for the opportunity of 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 instantly ask Congress throughout his handle for Abrams tanks, F-16 fighter jets, or the long-range, guided missiles generally known as ATACMS. Ukraine’s army has been looking for these weapons for months however the Biden administration has refused as of but to provide the inexperienced mild.
Zelenskiy although not directly hinted on the need 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 help of Ukraine.
Elise Giuliano, a professor of political science at Columbia College’s Harriman Institute for Russian, Eurasian, and East European Research, advised RFE/RL that Zelenskiy was efficient in speaking to People.
“He’s interesting to our curiosity in defending democracy but additionally in our personal safety,” she stated. He’s “additionally searching for these factors of commonality” between the 2 nations.
Giuliano stated that it was sensible of Zelenskiy to focus on Iran’s help for Russia as a result of many People readily determine Tehran as a “dangerous” and “aggressive” actor that america must “stand as much as.” .
Zelenskiy had arrived within the U.S. capital earlier within the day on his first journey overseas because the 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 support and the course of the struggle 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 stated 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
