Ukraine ‘alive and kicking’ regardless of Russian aggression, Zelensky tells U.S. Congress10 hours in the past

Joe Biden promised Volodymyr Zelensky that American army help to Kyiv will proceed “so long as it takes” to defeat Russia’s aggression amid a whirlwind go to by the Ukrainian President to Washington to shore up assist from his nation’s high ally.

Mr. Zelensky, making his first international journey Wednesday since Moscow’s February invasion, met with the U.S. President and national-security officers on the White Home earlier than giving a Wednesday night deal with to legislators, two weeks forward of a extra isolationist Congress taking workplace.

In his speech on the Capitol, he reminded the U.S. how efficient its assist has been up to now – and what an abject failure Russian President Vladimir Putin’s invasion has been. “Towards all odds and doom and gloom situations, Ukraine didn’t fall. Ukraine is alive and kicking. We defeated Russia within the battle for the minds of the world.”

The journey comes at an important second. After Ukraine recaptured swaths of territory this previous summer time and autumn, Russia started an aerial bombardment meant to knock out electrical energy and different infrastructure amid the onset of winter. Mr. Zelensky has repeatedly pleaded with the U.S. and different NATO international locations for extra assist to guard in opposition to the onslaught.

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At a joint information convention with Mr. Zelensky earlier, Mr. Biden stated Mr. Putin “has no intention of stopping this merciless conflict,” signalling that he anticipated the combating to proceed for a very long time.

“You’ll by no means stand alone,” Mr. Biden informed Mr. Zelensky. “The American folks have been with you each step of the way in which. And we’ll stick with you, we’ll stick with you for so long as it takes.”

Mr. Biden, who has made army assist for Ukraine to comprise Mr. Putin’s expansionism his central foreign-policy precedence, introduced that the U.S. army would give Ukraine Patriot missiles as a part of the newest US$1.85-billion bundle of defence help.

Congress can also be anticipated to approve an extra US$45-billion – greater than doubling the whole quantity of assist despatched to Ukraine over the previous two years – as a part of a funds invoice later this week. However the newly elected Republican majority within the Home of Representatives has expressed skepticism about persevering with assist.

In his speech, Mr. Zelensky warned that, if different democratic international locations fail to assist Ukraine now, they’ll quickly be combating authoritarians on their very own shores.

“The battle just isn’t just for the life, safety and freedom of Ukrainians, or another nation Russia makes an attempt to overcome. This wrestle will outline in what world our kids and grandchildren stay,” stated Mr. Zelensky, who wore the identical olive-green, military-style outfit that has grow to be his trademark through the conflict. “Your cash just isn’t charity. It’s an funding within the international safety and democracy that we deal with in essentially the most accountable approach,” he stated.

Mr. Zelensky has dominated out negotiating with Russia till Mr. Putin agrees to provide again all of the territory he has taken from Ukraine since 2014 and pay compensation for conflict damages. Along with weapons, Mr. Zelensky stated he and Mr. Biden mentioned additional sanctions on Russia and a convention to construct assist for Ukraine’s peace calls for.

Congress gave the Ukrainian President a heat welcome, with Speaker Nancy Pelosi describing him as “courageous, brave” and praised his residents “for what they’re doing to guard democracy.” Mitch McConnell, the Republican chief within the Senate, reiterated his staunch assist for continued army funding: “Persevering with our assist for Ukraine is morally proper, however it’s not solely that. Additionally it is a direct funding in chilly, laborious, American pursuits.”

Members of each events gave Mr. Zelensky a number of sustained, cheering standing ovations.

How lengthy this reception will final is an open query. Republican Home chief Kevin McCarthy, prone to grow to be Speaker subsequent month, reiterated his earlier place on Ukraine late Wednesday: “I by no means assist a clean cheque,” he stated. Far-right legislators Lauren Boebert and Matt Gaetz sat stone-faced throughout Mr. Zelensky’s speech.

Because the begin of the conflict, Mr. Zelensky, a former comic and gifted communicator, has deftly labored to construct worldwide assist for his nation, alternately thanking leaders for his or her assist and making an ethical case for them to do extra.

He took the same tack Wednesday, evaluating Ukraine’s wrestle with American battles in opposition to Nazi Germany and the British at Saratoga. “Courageous American troopers held their traces and fought again Hitler’s forces through the Christmas of 1944. Courageous Ukrainian troopers are doing the identical to Putin’s forces this Christmas,” he stated.

Whereas U.S. “assist is essential,” he stated Ukraine wants extra. “Now we have artillery, sure,” he stated. “Is it sufficient? Fairly truthfully, not likely.”

The Patriots, for which he had lengthy requested, are supposed to take down Russian warplanes and ballistic missiles at increased altitudes than the Ukrainians’ present air defence techniques.

Not too long ago returned from Bakhmut, a Donbas area city simply liberated by Ukrainian troops, Mr. Zelensky gave Mr. Biden a fight medal an artillery captain there had requested be handed on to the U.S. President. To Congress, Mr. Zelensky introduced a Ukrainian flag signed by town’s defenders, which Ms. Pelosi and Vice-President Kamala Harris unfurled.

The White Home stated the assembly with Mr. Zelensky, which coincided with the three hundredth day of the invasion, got here collectively rapidly. It was first mentioned 10 days in the past, an invite was issued final week and Mr. Zelensky accepted Sunday. For safety causes, all the pieces was saved secret till the evening earlier than.

Mr. Biden and Mr. Zelensky have met as soon as earlier than, in September, 2021, and spoken by telephone dozens of instances since. Mr. Zelensky’s final international journey was in February, a number of days earlier than the Russian invasion, when he met with Ms. Harris and different leaders in Germany.

Talking to reporters Wednesday, Mr. Biden famous that Mr. Zelensky, who’s Jewish, was celebrating the fourth evening of Hanukkah, a pageant that marks the triumph of sunshine over darkness. Mr. Zelensky, for his half, delivered a extra succinct vacation message.

“Merry Christmas,” he informed Congress, “and Blissful Victorious New Yr.”