Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky capped his whirlwind trip to DC with a speech to a lawmaker in the House of Representatives chamber, where he thanked lawmakers for billions in aid and proclaimed that “Ukraine is alive and well.”
“Russian tyranny has lost control of us,” Zelenskyi told Congress, where he again called for the United States and allied nations to unite in support of his country.
Zelensky was repeatedly rewarded with applause from Republicans and Democrats – including a group of lawmakers who unfurled a Ukrainian flag on the floor of the House of Representatives.
“That’s why we managed to unite the world community to protect freedom and international law,” he said, recounting how allied nations rallied to support Ukraine after Russia’s invasion, which he repeatedly described as a threat to Ukraine denoted the entire world order.
Zelenskyy’s address comes as lawmakers are about to vote on another $45 billion in support for his war-torn country.
He went through descriptions of Russia’s bloody attacks.
“They sent thugs to the front,” he said. He said they “destroy everything they see”.
“We have artillery. Yes thank you. Is that enough? Not really,’ he said–and making renewed efforts to rearm while trying to express his gratitude for the flood of arms.
Zelensky came to Capitol Hill at the end of a brief visit where President Joe Biden repeatedly assured that the US would stand by his country as it prepares for a long winter amid repeated Russian missile and drone attacks.
Biden announced another arms transfer totaling $1.8 billion, and Zelensky said he’s confident support will continue even as Republicans prepare to take over the House of Representatives, with some of them expressed skepticism and called for better supervision of the billions in aid.
As lawmakers entered the cavernous chamber of the House of Representatives, faint applause was heard for the arrival of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell.
Vice President Kamala Harris was also present.
Before speaking before the joint session of Congress, Zelensky was given a brief tour of the Capitol rotunda by Congressional leaders Pelosi, Schumer and McConnell.
McCarthy, who is currently under pressure from within his conference from conservatives – many of whom are skeptical about US aid to Ukraine – appeared absent from the public meeting.
Speaking to a joint session of Congress, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked lawmakers for supporting the US in fighting the Russian invasion. He previously met with outgoing Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi
Three of the four leading congressmen walked into the chamber together to quiet applause. House GOP leader Kevin McCarthy was not among them
“Regardless of the changes in Congress, I believe there will be bipartisan and bicameral support,” Zelensky told reporters at a news conference on Wednesday.
He received another public reassurance from Biden, who told him, “We’ll be with you as long as it takes,” and then clarified that he would not stop seeking support from his powerful ally, who announced the transfer to Patriot- Missile batteries to repel Russian attacks.
“What will happen after the Patriots are installed? After that, we will send another signal to President Biden that we would like to get more Patriots.
It all happened after Zelensky traveled to Poland by train, and then flew aboard a US military plane to Joint Base Andrews near Washington.
He was greeted by President Biden on the South Lawn, took a seat in the Oval Office where he presented Biden with a medal of merit, and spoke to reporters in the East Room.
Pelosi called Zelensky’s congressional address to lawmakers, who will be flying home themselves for the holidays, as a “very special evening that will go down in history as well as your legacy.”
She also called it a moment full of meaning.
“We are here today to welcome brave, courageous President Zelenskyy, to commend not only him but also the courageous, united people of Ukraine for what they are doing to protect democracy,” the spokesman said. “In the last 10 months since the invasion, Mr. President, you and the Ukrainian people have met Putin’s brutality with a strong will.”
Pelosi also noted that the speech comes as Congress weighs its $1.7 trillion bill, which includes $45 billion in aid to Ukraine.
“Hopefully within the next 48 hours it will be ready,” Pelosi said.
Reflecting on Zelensky’s presence, she also brought up her father, former Maryland Rep. Thomas D’Alesandro, Jr., who “was a member of the House of Representatives in 1941 when Winston Churchill came to Congress the day after Christmas to speak about our… nation to enlist support in the fight against tyranny in Europe.”
“Eighty-one years later this week, it is particularly poignant for me to be present when another heroic wartime leader addresses Congress — and democracy itself is at stake,” she said.