Wednesday night, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky delivered a historic speech to a joint session of Congress, telling Americans and the rest of the world that “Ukraine is alive and living” and pleading with lawmakers to tighten sanctions against Russia and increase help.
In a speech from the House chamber, the Ukrainian president thanked the US for providing Ukraine with billions of dollars in military aid, saying, “Against all odds and doom and gloom forecasts, Ukraine didn’t fall. “Your contributions are not being given to charity. It is an investment in the world’s democracy and security that we manage responsibly.
In front of Zelensky as he concluded his remarks, Vice President Kamala Harris and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (R-CA) raised a Ukrainian flag bearing the signatures of wartime veterans. Pelosi offered Zelensky the flag that flew over the Capitol on Wednesday in recognition of his visit, and Zelensky gave it to the leaders.
As Zelensky entered the House chamber, members of Congress applauded him and gave him a standing ovation. Many people inside wore yellow and blue to show their support for the nation. Reps. Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE), Madeline Dean (D-PA), Tom O’Halloren (D-AZ), and Mary Gay Scanlon (D-PA) briefly carried a Ukrainian flag when Zelensky took his seat before the speech.
Rep. Elaine Luria (D-VA), a member of the Jan. 6 committee, was seated next to Rep. Liz Cheney (R-WY) in the chamber with Democrats. In the 117th Congress, 86 of the 213 House Republicans were present for the address. A number of Republican lawmakers stayed silent during many of the standing ovations. Reps. Lauren Boebert (R), Matt Gaetz (R), Andrew Clyde (R), and Diana Harshbarger (R) all remained in their seats despite continuing to oppose money for Ukraine.
The speech doesn’t seem to have persuaded some lawmakers who are against giving the nation further aid. According to the Washington Post, Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) stated that the speech did not alter his opinions on Ukraine.
He told reporters on Capitol Hill that he went because of respect more than agreement.
For about 25 minutes, Zelensky spoke in English and made an impassioned argument for the future of his nation. The Ukrainian president said that the United States and lawmakers had altered the course of the conflict with Russia and that continuous money and support would hasten Ukraine’s victory.
“I would like to thank everyone. I’d like to thank every family in America. I appreciate the essential help from everyone who is presently on the front lines, and I thank President Biden and both parties in the Senate and the House for it,” he said.
More than 300 days into the conflict, Zelensky assured Congress that Ukraine will “never surrender,” despite the fact that they will need more weapons to prevail on the battlefield.
“Not simply to stand in such a war but to go to the turning point to win,” he asserted, American backing is essential.
The artillery is here. Yes, thank you,” he remarked in reference to the weaponry provided by the United States. Is it sufficient? Actually, not really,” he said, drawing some chuckles from the assembled legislators.
Zelensky stated in his speech that President Joe Biden agreed with his 10-point peace plan but encouraged Congress to assist in its implementation.
We require peace. Yes. In addition to our peace formula, the ten points that should and must be implemented for our shared security, and the summit that can be conducted, Ukraine has already made proposals, according to Zelensky. Every one of you, ladies and gentlemen, can help with implementation to make sure that American leadership continues to be strong, bicameral, and bipartisan.
The president of Ukraine, who was dressed in cargo pants and an olive-green shirt, compared the fighting in Eastern Ukraine to crucial American conflicts like the Battle of Saratoga, which changed the course of the American Revolutionary War.
Zelensky, alluding to a Ukrainian city at the epicenter of Russian attack, predicted that the struggle for Bakhmut would alter the sad course of our war for independence and freedom “much like the battle of Saratoga.”
An upper deck Ukrainian delegation began chanting in Ukrainian as soon as Zelensky departed the House chamber. They said, “God Bless America!” as they left.
Zelensky met with Biden at the White House during his first overseas trip since the war started. Just hours earlier, he had participated in a joint news conference with Biden, thanking Americans for their support and emphasizing the importance of air defense systems in defending against Russian attacks.
Zelensky stated on Wednesday that this move to safeguard Ukraine’s airspace was crucial because it would be the only way to prevent terrorists from attacking our infrastructure, people, and energy sector.
Zelensky’s speech to Congress comes as Ukrainian officials warn Moscow is getting ready for a significant winter attack and as lawmakers get ready to vote on a significant year-end spending package that includes around $45 billion in emergency aid to Ukraine. If authorized, this financing would represent the biggest ever U.S. contribution to the Ukrainian combat effort.
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The speech’s potential to encourage the Senate to act swiftly to enact a spending plan that includes close to $50 billion for Ukraine is unclear. Not all 100 senators have yet endorsed quick-tracking the procedure. Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO), who opposes providing Ukraine with additional assistance, was not present and admitted to CNN that he did not even see the speech.
Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) stated earlier in the day that he thinks Republicans who oppose further help to Ukraine are “in the distinct minority.”
Graham told reporters on Wednesday morning that a Russian victory in Ukraine would not solve any domestic issues.
Since Russia’s incursion in late February, the United States has given approximately $20 billion in security support to Ukraine. Following House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy’s (R-CA) warning that GOP members will not write a “blank check” for Ukraine, the White House is preparing for further opposition from the GOP-controlled House of Representatives during the upcoming session.
