Zelenskyy gave a virtual address to both the House and Senate, citing key events in American history such as Pearl Harbor’s 1941 attack and September 11th 2001 terror attacks, to encourage members to help his country defeat Russia’s aggression.
“Just as nobody expected it, it could not be stopped,” he stated .
He said that Russia had “turned the Ukrainian sky into an area of death for thousands.”
Zelenskyy, speaking through a translator during the first part of his speech, asked if it was too much to ask for the U.S. create a no-fly area over his country and provide air defence systems such as the Russian-made S-300 missile system. Zelenskyy also demanded that the U.S. impose additional sanctions on Russian lawmakers “until Russia’s war machine ceases” and encouraged lawmakers to press businesses in their respective districts to stop operating in Russia.
He said, “l have a dream. These words are known to all of you today.” “I have a need. I need to protect our skies. Your help is needed.
Zelenskyy concluded his speech with a graphic video that showed the destruction and loss of life in Ukraine caused by Russian forces. He also appealed in English to President Biden, and all Americans.
“Being the world’s leader means being the leader for peace. Peace in your country does not depend on you or your people. It is dependent on the people around you, and those who are strong,” said he. Strong doesn’t necessarily mean large, but strong means brave and ready for battle for the lives of his citizens and citizens around the world, for human right, freedom, and the right to live peacefully, and not to be killed by another person, or by your neighbor.
Zelenskyy addressed Mr. Biden directly and said to him, “You’re the leader of the nation, your great nation.” You should be the leader in the world. To be the leader in the world is to be the leader for peace.
Nancy Pelosi, House Speaker, introduced Zelenskyy and got a standing ovation. Members wore blue and yellow to show support and were seated in a standing ovation when Zelenskyy appeared on the screen. The remarks were broadcast to Capitol members via an auditorium. Oksana Markarova (the Ukrainian ambassador to the U.S.), was also present.
“Slava Ukraineini,” Pelosi declared prior to Zelenskyy’s remarks. Or “glory to Ukraine”.
Zelenskyy, in a trademark olive-drab T shirt, appeared before several Western legislative bodies, including the British House of Commons, and the Canadian Parliament to ask their countries to support Russian airstrikes.
The main concern of Ukraine going into the next phase is its ability to fight the Russian Air Force. While fighter jets are the most requested, with the transfer Polish-owned MiG fighters out of the picture, the Ukrainians want surface-to air weapons that can strike Russian high-flying aircraft. This would be in addition to the Stinger missiles and shoulder-mounted weapons that the Ukrainians have been receiving form the U.S.
Gregory Meeks (Democrat of New York), Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, stressed that Ukrainians should be equipped with equipment they are already skilled to operate. While the Russian-made S-300 systems are being considered, it will still be necessary to locate weapons in countries that would transfer them to Ukraine.
It is unlikely that the President’s opposition to MiG plane transfers will be changed by pressure from the Biden Administration. Mr. Biden has also voiced opposition to the creation a no fly zone and warned that such a move by NATO allies and the U.S. would signal an increase in the ongoing war.
On Wednesday, however, Mr. Biden announced an additional $800,000,000 in security assistance for Ukraine. This brings the total announced in the past week to $1 billion. Since his election, Mr. Biden authorized $2 billion to secure Ukraine. The United States is still the largest single donor to Ukraine’s security assistance.
This new aid includes 800 antiaircraft systems, drones and 20 million rounds ammunition. It also contains 9,000 anti-armor system. The United States has provided Ukraine more than 600 Stinger antiaircraft missiles, approximately 2,600 Javelin antitank missiles and shotguns as well as ammunition, machine guns, shotguns and machine guns over the past year.
The White House announced Tuesday, that Mr. Biden would travel to Brussels next week in order to take part in an extraordinary NATO summit. Jen Psaki, White House Press Secretary, stated Tuesday that Mr. Biden will be joined by 30 NATO member countries to “discuss ongoing defense and deterrence efforts in response to Russia’s unprovoked attack on Ukraine” and to reaffirm their ironclad commitment to NATO allies.
Psaki said that Mr. Biden will be joining a summit of the European Council on March 24-25 “to discuss our common concerns about Ukraine, including transatlantic attempts to impose economic sanctions on Russia, provide humanitarian aid to those affected by violence, and address other challenges associated with the conflict.”