Mith an impressive speech before the US Congress, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked the United States for its support against the Russian war of aggression, to the cheers of the deputies and senators. “Despite all odds and doomsday scenarios, Ukraine did not fall. Ukraine is alive and well,” said Zelenskyy on Wednesday evening (local time) in front of the two chambers of parliament in Washington on his first official trip abroad in times of war.
Applause erupted in the ranks. The Ukrainian stressed the historical importance of the defensive struggle for democracy. But he made it clear that more heavy weapons would be needed for his country to win.
The US is Ukraine’s main ally in defense against Moscow. Since US President Joe Biden took office, the US government has provided nearly $22 billion in military aid to Kyiv. It is therefore not surprising that Zelenskyj chose Washington for his first trip abroad since the beginning of the war. Biden used the meeting to pledge to deliver the Patriot anti-aircraft system to Kiev. The air defense system is likely to complicate Russia’s missile and drone attacks on civilian infrastructure in Ukraine.
Appeal to America’s MPs and Senators
Zelenskyj stressed before the Democrats and Republicans in Congress that military aid must not be cut short. “Ukraine has never asked American soldiers to fight in our place on our land. I assure you that Ukrainian soldiers are perfectly capable of operating American tanks and planes themselves,” he said. But the artillery delivered so far is not enough. “Your money is not charity, it is an investment in global security and democracy, which we will handle in the most responsible way,” he assured. The Republicans had recently indicated that they wanted to step on the brakes on aid to Ukraine.
He made it clear that the war against Ukraine is not only about the fate of the Ukrainians. “The struggle will define what world our children and grandchildren will live in, and then their children and grandchildren,” he warned. A Russian attack against allies is only a matter of time. The world is too interconnected for anyone to feel safe if the Russian attack continues. “Ukrainian courage and American determination” must guarantee the future of freedom.
The Ukrainian President repeatedly used haunting words in his speech and emphasized the perseverance of his compatriots. Ukrainians are not afraid – and no one in the world should be, he said. “They have a lot more missiles and planes than we’ve ever had, that’s true, but our defenses are standing.” Ukraine will never capitulate.