Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy delivered a speech from the U.S. Capitol on Dec. 21, thanking the United States for its support amid Russia’s ongoing invasion but urging lawmakers to grant more aid, stating that doing so would be an “investment in global security and democracy.”
Congress will also be voting this week on a new spending package for Ukraine that includes roughly $45 billion in additional emergency assistance, part of its $1.7 trillion omnibus spending bill.
Zelenskyy told lawmakers that prior to his arrival in Washington, he had been on the frontline, noting that Russian soldiers have been claiming large swathes of Ukraine in recent months and that “every inch of that land is soaked in blood.”
“Dear Americans, states, cities, and communities, all of those who value freedom and justice, who cherish as strongly as we Ukrainians our cities and each and every family, I hope my words of respect and gratitude resonate in each American heart,” Zelenskyy began his speech.
Russia Has Found an ‘Ally in Iran’
The president then went on to note that Ukraine has “defeated Russia in the battle of minds of the world,” but that the physical conflict between the two nations continues and Ukraine still needs to “defeat the kremlin on the battlefield.”“This battle is not only for territory in Europe, not only for life, freedom, and security of Ukrainians or any other nation which Russia attempts to conquer. This struggle will define in what world our children and grandchildren will live. It will define whether it will be a democracy of Ukrainians and Americans for all. This battle cannot be frozen or postponed,” Zelenskyy said.
The Ukrainian president went on to note that the world is too interconnected and interdependent to feel safe as the war between Russia and Ukraine rages on before adding that next year will be “the turning point” in the war.
Zelenskyy stressed to lawmakers that Russian forces have a significant advantage over Ukrainian soldiers when it comes to artillery, ammunition, missiles, and aircraft but that Ukrainian forces remain strong.
He also argued that Russia has found an “ally” in Iran, pointing to deadly Iranian drones sent to Russia, which he said have become “a threat to our critical infrastructure.”
“That is how one terrorist has found the other,” he said. “It is just a matter of time before they will strike against your other allies if we do not stop them now.”
“Your support is crucial not just to get to the turning point to win on the battlefield. We have artillery. Thank you. We have it. Is it enough? Honestly, not really,” the president noted, prompting a round of laughter from lawmakers.
‘Your Money is Not Charity’
Zelenskyy went on to state that Ukraine has never asked American soldiers to fight the war against Russia and that Ukrainian soldiers “can properly operate American tanks and planes themselves,” again sparking a round of laughter.He finished off his speech by stressing the importance of financial aid to Ukraine while thanking the Biden administration for the financial packages it has already provided to the country as well as any additional packages lawmakers might pass in the near future.
“Your money is not charity, it is an investment in the global security and democracy that we handle in the most responsible way,” Zelenskyy said. “But you can speed up our victory. I know it. It is in your power to help bring to justice everyone who started this unprovoked and criminal war.”
Finishing off his remarks, Zelenskyy presented House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Vice President Harris with a flag signed by Ukrainian soldiers.
“President Zelenskyy and I are united, two countries together, to make sure he [Putin] cannot succeed,” Biden said.
