Zelensky in Washington: Tens of billions of dollars in aid to Ukraine is an investment in global security
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky made a historic speech in the United States Congress. The Kyiv leader told them, in a speech delivered in English, that his country is holding on, thanks to the aid it has received, and is determined not to give in to Russian aggression. At the same time, the leader from Kyiv conveyed that the assistance of tens of billions of dollars approved to support Ukraine to fight against the Russian invasion is not a gesture of charity, but an investment.
Under conditions of maximum security, Volodymyr Zelensky arrived in Washington aboard an American plane, in which he boarded from Poland, where he went by train. The Ukrainian leader's visit began at the White House, where he was greeted by Joe Biden.
At the two-hour meeting between the two leaders, Zelensky thanked Biden and the American people for their support for Ukraine.
"Thank you very much, Mr. President. Of course, thanks for the support. I thank the Congress, and I bring thanks from our simple people - your simple people, the Americans, whom I appreciate so much," the leader from Kyiv said.
Then Volodymyr Zelensky presented Joe Biden with a military cross that a Ukrainian defender from Bahamut, who fights on the American HIMARS system, wanted to give him.
"A captain asked me to convey something to you. He is a captain on a HIMARS battery, he is very brave. He sends you a Military Merit Cross. It's from that captain and it's a message that I haven't read, it also has a translation," said Volodymyr Zelensky.
"Undeserved, but I appreciate the gesture. Thank you!” President Joe Biden responded.
The White House leader thanked Zelenskiy and said he would instead send the Ukrainian captain a US command coin his son received in Iraq. In the press conference held together with the Ukrainian president, Joe Biden officially announced that the United States will send an additional package worth 1.8 billion dollars as assistance to Ukraine, which will include the Patriot missile system.
"It will take some time to complete the training required to operate the system, but the Patriot missiles will be a 'crucial element' for Ukraine's air defence against Russian aggression," Biden said.
President Volodymyr Zelenskiy addressed, on Wednesday evening, the members of the American Congress, to whom he said, in a speech delivered in English, that his country is resisting, thanks to the aid received, and is determined not to give in to Russian aggression.
“It is a great honour for me to stand in the US Congress and address you and all Americans. Despite all the bleak scenarios, Ukraine is holding on. Ukraine is alive and active. We defeated Russia in the battle for the world's minds. We have no fear and no one in the world should. Ukraine has won this victory and it gives us courage that inspires the whole world," Zelensky noted.
Ukraine's president said the tens of billions of dollars in aid Congress approved to help Ukraine fight the Russian invasion is not a gesture of charity but an investment in global security.
"Your money is not charity. They are an investment in global security and democracy, and they will be managed in the most responsible way", the leader from Kyiv emphasises.
Loudly applauded at the end of the speech, the Ukrainian president handed House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and US Vice President Kamala Harris a gift to the US Congress - a Ukrainian flag with the signatures and messages of Ukrainian soldiers fighting in Bahamut, which Zelenskiy visited with a day before. Zelenski was instead given the American flag to mark his historic visit to Washington.
"This flag was flown on Capitol Hill today in honour of your visit," Nancy Pelosi said.
President Zelenski thus joins a long list of world leaders who have addressed a joint meeting of the Senate and the House of Representatives, a tradition that began in 1874 with the visit of Hawaiian King Kalakaua and continued with legendary appearances, such as that of British Prime Minister Winston Churchill on wartime, but also of kings, queens and a Sovereign Pontiff.
