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Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the comedic actor turned Ukrainian leader, delivered perhaps the most dramatic performance of his career Wednesday, embarking on a whirlwind tour that culminated in an address to Congress where he urged lawmakers to keep sending aid to his war-ravaged nation.
“Your money is not charity,” he told his congressional audience, which included some Republicans wary of sending a „blank check“ to Ukraine when they take over the House in January. “It’s an investment in the global security and democracy that we handle in the most responsible way.”
Still, Zelenksyy earned bipartisan applause for his comments – defiantly noting that, while more assistance is needed, no amount of Russian troops and missiles can bludgeon the will of his people: „Ukraine is alive and kicking.“
Clad in the green military garb of a war-time president, Zelenskyy first met with President Joe Biden at the White House Wednesday afternoon who pledged staunch and sustained support for Ukraine in its war with Russia:
„You will never stand alone,“ Biden told Zelenskyy as both stood near each other during an afternoon news conference in the packed East Room of the White House.
Zelenskyy’s visit comes as Biden and Congress reaffirm their commitment to Ukraine by sending billions in humanitarian and military aid to the war-ravaged country, including nearly $2 billion for a strategically important Patriot Air Defense System.
Congress is set to pass another $44 billion in Ukraine aid through the omnibus spending bill expected to pass this week.
Latest developments:
Capitol Hill: The Ukrainian president met with congressional leaders before delivering a rousing speech in English to a joint session. „Ukraine is alive and kicking,“ he told the lawmakers assembled in the House chamber who cheered loudly several times during his speech – even when he asked for more aid.
Biden tete-a-tete: Zelenskyy met with Biden behind closed doors for more than two hours. Both presidents held a news conference to reaffirm their alliance. This evening, Zelenskyy will address a joint session of Congress.
Air defense assistance: Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced the details of a $1.85 billion military package for Ukraine, including the transfer of the Patriot Air Defense System – the most advanced air weaponry the Biden administration has provided Kyiv to date in its battle against Russia.
Billions in Ukraine aid: Congress is set to pass a spending bill this week that includes about $44 billion for Ukraine in military and humanitarian assistance Some Republicans have resisted giving what House GOP Leader Kevin McCarthy has called a „blank check“ to the U.S. ally.Zelenskyy gives Pelosi Ukraine flag as ‘symbol of our victory’
Before ending his speech, Zelenskyy turned around and handed Pelosi a Ukrainian flag signed by Ukrainian soldiers who asked that he give it to Congress.
“This flag is a symbol of our victory in this war,” Zelenskyy said. “We stand, we fight and we will win because we are united – Ukraine, America and the entire free world.”
Pelosi and Vice President Kamala Harris held the flag in a display of solidarity as Zelenskyy finished his remarks.
In turn, Pelosi presented Zelenskyy with a United States flag that flew over the Capitol to commemorate his visit.
– Joey GarrisonNo joke: Zelenskky puns on Putin
Zelenskyy jabbed at Putin with a play on words, saying Ukraine is developing strong security guarantees for itself and the world.
“Together with you, we’ll put in place everyone who will defy freedom: Put-in,” the former comedic actor told lawmakers.
– Maureen GroppeUkraine will celebrate Christmas in spite of Russian brutality, Zelenskyy says
Zelenskyy said Ukrainians will celebrate Christmas and „delight“ in the holiday, even if there is no electricity and Russia launches a holiday assault from Moscow.
„If Russian missiles attack us, we’ll do our best to protect ourselves. If they attack us with Iranian drones, and our people will have to go to bomb shelters on Christmas Eve, Ukrainians will still sit down at the holy table and cheer up each other,“ Zelenskyy told lawmakers. „And we don’t have to know everyone’s wish, as we know that all of us — millions of Ukrainians– wish the same: victory. Only victory.“
– Francesca Chambers’Let’s do it‘: Zelenskky tells Congress victory is ‘in your power’
Zelenskyy told lawmakers that “it’s in your power” to defeat Russia as he called for their continued financial support.
“Let’s do it,” he said. “Let the world see that the United States is here.”
– Joey GarrisonZelenskyy: `Your money is not charity”
Zelenskyy made clear he has not asked Americans to fight alongside his military in Ukraine. He assured lawmakers that his soldiers can “perfectly operate American tanks and planes themselves.”
He thanked the U.S. for its weapons and financial support, calling it critically important.
“Your money is not charity,” he said. “It’s an investment in the global security and democracy that we handle in the most responsible way.”
– Maureen GroppeRepublicans show support for Zelenskyy’s gratitude for aid
Though House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., said Republicans won’t write a “blank check” to Ukraine when they take majority control in January, he and other GOP leaders stood and applauded Uelenskyy when he thanked them for billions in aid that he said have been used in a responsible way.
They stood, too, when Zelenskyy called for more assistance.
– Candy Woodall‘A matter of time’ before Russia attacks other allies, Zelenskyy says
Zelenskyy warned Russia will attack other U.S. allies if successful in Ukraine.
“It is just a matter of time before they attack against your other allies. If we can stop them now, we must do it.”
– Joey GarrisonZelenskyy makes World War II comparison
Zelenskyy compared what Ukrainians are facing to the Battle of the Bulge, the last major German offensive campaign on the Western Front during World War II.
Just as brave Americans fought Hitler’s forces during the Christmas of 1944, so brave Ukrainians “are doing the same to Putin’s forces this Christmas,” he said.
“They threw everything against us,” Zelenskyy said. “Ukraine holds its lines and will never surrender.”
– Maureen GroppeZelensky: Russia’s war ‘too interconnected’ to ignore
Zelenskyy said Russia’s war in Ukraine “cannot be frozen or postponed, it cannot be ignored,” as he argued the war threatens not just his country but the world.
“From the United States to China, from Europe to Latin America, and from Africa to Australia the war is too interconnected and interdependent.”
– Joey GarrisonZelenskyy: Russians must ‚defeat the Kremlin in their minds’
Zelensky said Ukrainians have rejected Moscow’s influence and Russians need to so the same.
“The Russian tyranny has lost control over us,” he said. “The Russians will stand a chance to be free only when they defeat the Kremlin in their minds.”
– Maureen GroppeZelenskyy gets several standing ovations
The standing ovations for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy began before he entered the House chamber for his historic address.
“Russian tyranny has lost control over us,” he said to more standing applause, as Ukraine fights for “freedom and justice.”
Though support for Ukraine aid has been a sticking point recently in Congress, with some members calling for an audit of the humanitarian and military assistance, Republicans and Democrats both stood and cheered together throughout his speech.
– Candy WoodallZelenskyy: ‘Ukraine is alive and kicking’
Zelenskyy said “against all odds and doom and gloom” Ukraine ahs not fallen to Russia.
“Ukraine is alive and kicking,” he said. “We defeated Russia in the battle for the minds of the world.”
– Joey GarrisonZelenskky overwhelmed by response
Beginning his remarks, Zelenskky appeared overwhelmed by the response of lawmakers.
“Is too much for me, all this for our great people,” Ukraine’s president said after the sustained applause. “Thank you so much.”
“Against all odds and doom and gloom scenarios, Ukraine didn’t fall. Ukraine is alive and kicking,” he said, as the applause continued.
– Maureen GroppeZelenskyy enters chamber
Zelenskyy was escorted on to the House floor to deliver his address to a joint session of Congress where he’s expected to thank the American people for their support in his country’s fight against Russia.
As he came in to a rousing round of applause, he smiled and shook hands with lawmakers. Democratic congresswomen waved a Ukrainian flag, as members of the Ukrainian embassy cheered from the House gallery.
His visit to the Capitol comes on the 300th day of the Russian attack against Ukraine and after the U.S. has sent about $50 billion in humanitarian and military aid. Congress is poised to send another $44 billion in the omnibus, which is expected to pass this week.
– Candy WoodallMcCarthy attends Zelenskyy speech
House GOP Leader Kevin McCarthy, who is on track to be speaker next year and has asserted Republicans won’t sign a “blank check” to Ukraine once his party gains the majority power in January, was one of the first lawmakers inside the chamber for Zelenskyy’s speech.
He is leading a caucus that includes some members who would like to see more accountability for humanitarian and military aid sent to Ukraine. That includes Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., who has introduced a resolution calling for an audit of the foreign aid.
McCarthy, who is in the middle of a contentious run for speaker, was frequently greeted with smiles and visited by other members as they waited for the Ukranian president to arrive.
