Image source, EPA
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Selensky told the US Congress that the Ukrainian people are experiencing daily attacks like ‘September 11’.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Selensky addressed a special session of the US Congress today, Wednesday. The President of Ukraine was introduced by the Speaker of the Parliament Nancy Pelosi.
At the time, Selensky said, “We in the United States have great respect for the courageous leadership.”
Speaking on the occasion, Selensky thanked the United States.
In his speech, Selensky said that Ukraine, which has been battling Russian forces, is facing daily attacks like 9/11 (the September 11 attacks).
He reiterated his support for the US and NATO over the declaration of Ukraine’s no-fly zone). “My country must protect the sky,” he said.
US President Joe Biden has agreed to provide an additional $ 800 million (6 612 million) in military aid to Ukraine.
“They face attacks like ‘September 11’ every day.”
He said that in the past, the Pearl Harbor attack of 1941 and the September 11, 2001 attacks should be remembered, adding that similar attacks were being experienced daily by the Ukrainian people.
“There are pages in your (America’s) best history of understanding Ukrainian history. Understand us now,” he said.
Referring to the famous human rights leader Martin Luther King’s famous speech “I have a dream”, he said, “Each of you knows these lines. I also have a dream. It is to protect our country’s sky.”
In the middle of his speech, the President of Ukraine showed a video of the missile attacks on Ukrainian cities and the resulting casualties and injuries to the people.
Image source, ReutersCopyright
Selensky continues to urge NATO to declare Ukraine ‘a no-fly zone’. But NATO has denied it.
If Ukraine declares itself a ‘no-fly zone’, any Russian aircraft attempting to fly within that airspace could be shot down if necessary.
As an alternative to the ‘No Fly Zone’, he demanded that Ukraine provide air defense systems and aircraft.
Earlier, he had urged the United States and the European Union to provide Poland with MIG-29 fighter jets. But US President Joe Biden rejected the decision, fearing it would drag NATO member states into war.
Speaking directly to Joe Biden in English, Selensky said, “I want you to be the leader of this world. To be the leader of this world is to be the leader of peace.”
US media reports say US $ 800 million in defense aid will include a large supply of anti-artillery missiles and anti-aircraft missiles, including specially used javelin and stinger missiles for Ukraine.
Image source, State Emergency Services in Kyiv
12-storey building under attack
What happened in Ukraine today?
Meanwhile, Russian forces continue to attack Ukraine today.
- The bomber struck shortly after noon in front of a 12-storey building in the capital, Kia.
- Two people have been killed in a shelling attack on a multi-storey building in Ukraine’s second-largest city of Kharkiv, emergency services say.
- Authorities say a missile struck a train station and a park in Zaporizhia.
- About 400 staff and patients are trapped in a hospital captured by Russian forces in Mariopol, Ukraine. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has described the situation in Mariupol as “a nightmare”.
Meanwhile, NATO defense ministers held a meeting in Brussels to discuss the reaction to the Russian invasion.
US President Joe Biden is expected to travel to Brussels next week to meet with NATO leaders and attend EU summit.
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