Volodymyr Zelensky visited his country’s wounded soldiers at Staten Island University Hospital ahead of the United Nations General Assembly.
Zelensky will speak at the annual UN General Assembly for the first time since the start of the war against Ukraine.
He wasted no time in visiting his own wounded soldiers upon his arrival in New York, shaking their hands as they entered the press conference.
He then presented the soldiers and hospital staff with Medals of Honor.
Some of the soldiers he visited were confined to wheelchairs, others had prostheses. The president even helped a soldier who was confined to a wheelchair stand up and pose for a photo together.
Zelensky will speak at the annual UN General Assembly for the first time since the start of the war against Ukraine
He wasted no time in visiting his own wounded soldiers as soon as he arrived in New York, shaking each soldier’s hand as they entered the press conference
The president even helped a soldier who was confined to a wheelchair stand up and pose for a photo together
Some of the soldiers he visited were confined to wheelchairs, others had prostheses
During his visit, President Zelensky told reporters at Staten Island University Hospital: “It is very important for us that all our words, all our messages are heard by our partners.”
“And whether there is still a place for Russian terrorists in the United Nations, I think the question is not for me, but for all members of the United Nations,” he added.
He also toured the facility with Michael Dowling, CEO of Northwell Health, the hospital’s owner. Dowling said 18 Ukrainian soldiers have been treated there since March.
“We have a duty to help as best we can in this situation in Ukraine,” Dowling said in live footage on Sky News.
In a large hospital room, the Ukrainian president watched as several soldiers in khaki uniforms practiced walking and lifting weights with newly acquired prosthetic legs and arms.
Nine Ukrainian soldiers are currently being treated in hospital. According to hospital staff and the Ukrainian-American NGO Kind Deeds, which provides prostheses for war amputees, the clinic helped a total of 35 soldiers last year.
Kiev does not release war casualty figures, but U.S. officials estimate the number of dead and wounded Ukrainian soldiers at nearly 500,000, the New York Times reported last month.
According to a post by Zelensky, he and his wife Olena Zelenska, the First Lady of Ukraine, came to the US for the UN General Assembly and a visit to Washington DC.
In a large hospital room, the Ukrainian president watched as several soldiers in khaki uniforms practiced walking and lifting weights with newly acquired prosthetic legs and arms
He also toured the facility by Michael Dowling, CEO of Northwell Health, which owns the hospital. Dowling said 18 Ukrainian soldiers have been treated there since March
Nine Ukrainian soldiers are currently being treated in hospital. The clinic helped a total of 35 soldiers last year
During his visit, President Zelensky told reporters at Staten Island University Hospital: “It is very important for us that all our words, all our messages are heard by our partners.” “And whether there is still a place in the United Nations for “Russian terrorists exist, I think the question is not for me but for all members of the United Nations,” he added
He then listed the events he will attend, including the General Assembly, the SDG Summit, the Security Council meeting at the United Nations and “a number of important bilateral discussions.”
In Washington DC, he will meet with President Joe Biden, leaders of the chambers and parties of the US Congress, military leadership, American companies, journalists and Ukrainian community members.
He ended his tweet by saying, “I will thank the United States on behalf of Ukraine for its support in our fight for independence and freedom.” His text was followed by emojis of the Ukrainian flag and the US flag.
As he left the hospital he said: “I wish you victory and that you come home.”