“Ukraine holds its lines and will never surrender,” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky declared during his address to the two chambers of the United States (US) Congress on Wednesday.
“Your support is crucial, not just to stand in such [a] fight, but to get to the turning point to win on the battlefield,” he affirmed, adding that the ongoing battle for Bakhmut in eastern Ukraine “will change the trajectory of our war for independence and for freedom.”
I thank @POTUS for the warm welcome and I deeply appreciate all the support of the U.S. and the American people. I am confident that together we will be able to secure a better, prosperous and free future for both of our nations. Ukraine’s victory will also be America’s victory. pic.twitter.com/OhclRtwIJy
— Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) December 22, 2022
Zelensky stressed that the Ukraine war “cannot be frozen or postponed,” arguing that “the world is too interconnected and interdependent to allow someone to stay aside and at the same time, to feel safe when such a battle continues.”
In addition, he emphasised that Ukraine defeated Russia in the “battle for minds,” asserting that Moscow can no longer influence the world.
In this regard, he told lawmakers that Washington’s financial assistance is “critically important” for Kyiv to achieve its goals on the battlefield.
“Your money is not charity. It’s an investment in the global security and democracy that we handle in the most responsible way,” he stated, in reference to Republicans reportedly feeling sceptical about continuing to provide assistance to Ukraine.
Zelensky: I assure you, Ukraine can operate American tanks and planes themselves.
— John Hudson (@John_Hudson) December 22, 2022
(Context: The U.S. has not provided certain items Ukraine has asked for like Abrams Tanks and F-16s, saying it would cause a dangerous escalation and require too much training time) pic.twitter.com/WcDNBAg3B4
Zelensky’s speech came against the backdrop of Congress being on the verge of signing off a nearly $45 billion assistance package to Ukraine for the next year in an effort to help Kyiv run its public services effectively.
Following his address, House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) remarked, “My position has never changed. I support Ukraine but I never supported a blank check. We want to make sure there’s accountability for everybody, the money that is spent.”
Before Zelensky’s speech at Congress, President Joe Biden announced an additional $1.85 billion in military assistance to Ukraine, including a surface-to-air Patriot missile battery, which he said will form another “critical asset” for Ukraine. He stressed that providing the Patriot air defence system to Kyiv was not an “escalatory” action, and is purely defensive. Russia has repeatedly warned that the delivery of the Patriot system would be interpreted as a declaration of war.
In Ukraine's fight against Russia's unprovoked, unjustified war, I’m proud to say they have not stood alone.
— President Biden (@POTUS) December 21, 2022
And on my watch, they never will. pic.twitter.com/2RV8dyXHxr
Zelensky meanwhile, called it a “very important step to create a secure airspace for Ukraine” and the only way to defend against Russia’s strikes on Ukraine’s energy sector, people, and critical infrastructure. To this end, Biden revealed that the US is working with allies to “provide critical equipment to help Ukraine make emergency repairs to their power transmission system and strengthen the stability of Ukraine’s grid.”
Biden also underlined that Russian President Vladimir Putin is “not open” to pursuing “just peace” and has “no intention of stopping this cruel war.”
Keeping this in mind, he vowed to continue supporting Ukraine to succeed on the battlefield, “so that if and when President Zelensky is ready to talk with the Russians, he will be able to succeed as well, because he will have won on the battlefield.”
In Ukraine's fight against Russia's unprovoked, unjustified war, I’m proud to say they have not stood alone.
— President Biden (@POTUS) December 21, 2022
And on my watch, they never will. pic.twitter.com/2RV8dyXHxr
He also recalled a conversation with Putin when he told the Russian leader that Moscow wants “Europe [to] end up being divided,” but instead “he produced a more united Europe.”
“Putin thought he would weaken North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO); instead, he strengthened NATO with Sweden and Finland joining,” Biden opined.
Biden also emphasised that though Europe understands why it is necessary to support Ukraine against Russia, they “are not looking to go to war with Russia.”
“They’re not looking for a third World War,” he underscored.
It is my distinct privilege to welcome President @ZelenskyyUa to the United States Capitol and reaffirm America’s commitment: we will stand with Ukraine in the fight for freedom until the war is won. pic.twitter.com/nQYARAk8iD
— Nancy Pelosi (@SpeakerPelosi) December 22, 2022
The American president also promised to “hold Russia accountable, including efforts in Congress,” referring to reports of lawmakers passing a bill to label Russia as an “Aggressor State” instead of calling it a state sponsor of terrorism.
This declaration would “make it easier to seek justice for Russia’s war crimes in Ukraine,” Biden noted.
“The American people know that if we stand by in the face of such blatant attacks on liberty and democracy and the core principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity, the world would surely face worse consequences,” Biden emphasised.
They will stand together as long as it takes … pic.twitter.com/kQlkmGkwz6
— Sergiy Kyslytsya (@SergiyKyslytsya) December 22, 2022
He also commended Ukrainian citizens for “their steel backbone, their love of country, and their unbreakable determination to choose their own path.” He noted that they have endured over 300 days of being confronted with the “imperial appetites of autocrats who wrongfully believed they might be able to make might right, and they’re not able to do it.”
“The American people have been with you every step of the way, and we will stay with you for as long as it takes,” he reaffirmed, saying it is important for the American public and the world “to hear directly” from Zelensky.
3/ Not only was he telling his people that he was staying to lead them no matter what, his words electrified western populations and government leaders. The aid began to flow despite the concerns by some that Russian might succeed. #Leadership
— Mick Ryan, AM (@WarintheFuture) December 22, 2022
Zelensky, meanwhile, asserted that “just peace is no compromise as to the sovereignty, freedom, and territorial integrity of my country, the payback for all the damages inflicted by Russian aggression.” He called his visit to the US a “historic one,” noting that the two countries “have started a new phase of our inter-relations” and “become real partners and allies.”
Zelensky’s visit, which came at Biden’s invitation, marked his first overseas trip since the start of the war. He remarked that he couldn’t visit earlier “because the situation was so difficult” and could only do so now because the situation was “controlled” with the US’ support.