Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy urged Congress on Wednesday evening to approve extra assist for Ukraine, telling lawmakers that “this battle cannot be frozen and postponed,” and reminding them that temperatures are falling with the arrival of winter.
“Ukraine is alive and kicking,” Zelenskyy stated in English to applause. “Russian tyranny has lost control over us,” he added.
Zelenskyy, who delivered his whole deal with in English, thanked Americans for assist and vowed Ukraine “will win because we are united — Ukraine, America and the entire free world.”
“Standing here today, I recall the words of the president Franklin Delano Roosevelt …’The American people in their righteous might will win through absolute victory,'” Zelenskyy stated. “The Ukrainian people will win too. Absolutely.”
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He famous that many in Ukraine will rejoice Christmas by candle — not as a result of it is romantic however as a result of Russians have destroyed the ability, he stated. Millions may have neither heating, nor working water, he stated. But they’d rejoice nonetheless, he stated, including that hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians need the identical factor — victory.
At the tip of the speech, he offered a Ukrainian flag signed by Ukrainians to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Vice President Kamala Harris.
Zelenskyy’s journey to Washington, his first in a foreign country for the reason that Russian invasion in February, comes as Congress is debating a large $1.7 trillion authorities spending invoice, which incorporates one other $45 billion in assist for Ukraine.
Ahead of the speech, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer urged the passage of the invoice – which should go each Houses of Congress and be signed by President Joe Biden by Friday – and stated Zelenskyy “made clear that without this aid package, the Ukrainians will be in trouble and could even lose the war.”
“So that makes the urgency of us getting this legislation one all the more important and getting it done quickly without flaw,” Schumer stated.
A lot of Republicans who oppose extra assist attended Zelenskyy’s deal with — Reps. Lauren Boebert and Matt Gaetz stood however didn’t applaud for the Ukrainian chief.
In entrance of Congress, Zelenskyy referred to as for “Ukrainian courage and American resolve” that can “guarantee the future of our common freedom.”
Ahead of the speech, Zelenskyy met with President Joe Biden on the White House. They held a joint press convention, the place Mr. Biden stated he would proceed to assist Ukraine “as long as it takes,” and denounced Russian assaults on Ukrainian infrastructure because the brutal winter chilly units in.
“We should be clear about what Russia is doing — it is purposefully attacking Ukraine’s critical infrastructure, destroying the systems that provide heat and light to the Ukrainian people during the coldest, darkest part of the year. Russia is using winter as a weapon,” Mr. Biden stated, standing subsequent to Zelenskyy within the White House East Room. “It’s important for the American people and for the world to hear directly from you, Mr. President, about Ukraine’s fight and the need to continue to stand together through 2023.”
Zelenskyy addressed Congress just about in March.
Ellis Kim contributed to this report.