In an emotional statement to a joint meeting of the U.S. Congress on Wednesday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that the conflict in his country “will determine the future in which our children and grandkids will live.”
Ukraine “did not fall,” he declared, “despite all predictions of disaster.” Ukraine is still thriving.
During his speech in English, Zelenskyy thanked the US for giving them military equipment and money to help them.
He assured Congress that their funds were not being donated. It is a financial investment in the world’s democracy and security that we manage responsibly.
Even though Russia has more artillery, ammunition, missiles, and planes, Zelensky said, “Our defense forces hold.”
Zelenskyy declared, “Ukraine holds its lines and will never surrender.”
In order to conclude, he handed Congress a battle banner that had been provided to him by the Ukrainians defending Bakhmut, a city in eastern Ukraine where his soldiers have been involved in fierce combat for months. In exchange, he received a US flag that had flown over the US Capitol on Wednesday from House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
On Wednesday, Zelenskyy went to the White House for the first time since Russia started its invasion of Ukraine in February. Joe Biden welcomed him there.
According to Biden, the American people “have stood proudly” with Ukrainians.
He went on to say that it has been 300 days since Russian President Vladimir Putin started his “brutal attack on Ukraine’s right to exist as a nation.””Democrats and Republicans are working together with our allies in Europe, Japan, and other places to ensure you get the financial, humanitarian, and security assistance you need,” he said.
Zelenskyy told Biden that “from the hearts of Ukrainians, all Ukrainians,” he was grateful for the support from all parties.
“From our just regular folks to your just regular people, Americans, thank you,” he remarked.
Zelenskyy also presented Biden with a Cross for Military Merit medal that belonged to a Ukrainian soldier who was the captain of a U.S.-supplied HIMARS battery. Zelensky had been instructed by the soldier to give it to the “very brave president.” Biden claimed it was “undeserved, but deeply appreciated” as he accepted the medal.
Asserting that “We are staying with Ukraine as long as Ukraine is there,” Biden added, “We are going to give Ukraine what it needs to be able to defend itself, to be able to succeed, and to succeed on the battlefield.”
When asked why the United States doesn’t just give Ukraine all the weaponry capabilities it is requesting, Biden responded that it is giving Ukraine what it needs to be able to defend itself and be successful on the battlefield.
He said that the idea that we would give Ukraine things that are very different from what is going on there now would probably lead to the end of NATO, the European Union, and the rest of the world.
In order to persuade Europe’s allies to keep supporting Ukraine, Biden claimed to have spent “several hundred hours” with them.
They completely comprehend it, but they are not seeking to start a conflict with Russia. “They don’t want a third world war,” he remarked.
Zelenskyy was questioned about whether there was a way to bring about a “fair peace” and terminate the war.
As president, I will not sacrifice my nation’s sovereignty, freedom, or territorial integrity in the name of a just peace. Zelenskyy declared the restoration of all the harm caused by Russian aggression.
The trip is happening at the same time that U.S. lawmakers are talking about giving Ukraine an extra $45 billion in emergency aid. This would bring the total amount of wartime aid from the U.S. to more than $100 billion.
Patriot missile protection
The U.S. Department of Defense announced $1.85 billion in new security aid for Ukraine as Zelenskyy landed on American soil. This help includes a Patriot air defense battery and ammunition, extra HIMARS ammunition, missiles, artillery, and other weapons.
In a statement, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said, “This $1 billion drawdown would give Ukraine better air defense and more accurate strikes, as well as more ammunition and key equipment that Ukraine is already using so well to protect itself on the battlefield.”
Blinken says that the U.S. is also announcing an extra $850 million in security aid, bringing the total amount given since the start of the current administration to an amazing $21.9 billion.
Zelenskyy has often asked the US and other countries to give Ukraine air defense equipment. This would help Ukraine protect itself from Russian missile and drone attacks, which have destroyed infrastructure and cities all over the country.
The senior administration official said that the Ukrainian military would learn how to use the Patriot system in a third country. He also said that the process “will take some time.”
“Ukrainian soldiers had the quickest technological learning curve I’ve ever witnessed.” In an interview with VOA Ukrainian, the retired commanding general of the U.S. Army Europe, Ben Hodges, said that they will carry it out in Germany or Poland.
The Patriot is “the greatest in the world for its objective,” according to Hodges, “to knock down cruise missiles and advanced aircraft,” but it “is not a silver bullet.” The Patriot is only intended to defend a small region.
This report included some data from Agence France-Presse and Reuters.
