Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky made an impassioned and emotional plea to Congress on Wednesday for continued American support against Russia’s unrelenting assault, speaking personally and passionately about why Ukraine needed more aid and weapons.
Zelensky’s address to a joint session of Congress came after he met with President Biden during an extraordinary day in Washington that marked the Ukrainian leader’s first international trip since Russia invaded Ukraine 300 days ago. The two projected a united front at the White House, and both men issued blistering rebukes of Russia as they sought to rally support for a long and grueling war.
On the whole, lawmakers in attendance were spirited by Zelensky’s appearance, giving him 18 standing ovations throughout his speech. Republicans and Democrats often cheered as they clapped, while Rep. Madeleine Dean unfurled the Ukrainian flag and held it up with the help of her Democratic colleagues to visibly show Zelensky the support that exists for his country.
Republican Chip Roy of Texas called the Ukrainian president’s address to Congress “political theater.” Zelensky similarly cast Ukraine’s fight as a broader one that was important for democracies around the world.“I wish you to see your children alive and adults,” he said during the news conference with Biden, speaking in English, as he reminded people of the number of parents who had lost their sons and daughters during the war. He added, “The main thing what I can wish you, and of course, to be together with us generally because we really fight for our common victory against this tyranny.
Maintaining domestic and global support for Ukraine as the war drags on far longer than initially anticipated has become a central mission of Biden’s presidency and is a microcosm of his broader foreign and domestic policy framework. He often talks of a global battle between democracy and autocracy and has highlighted similar themes as he has campaigned for fellow Democrats against Republicans at home and laid the groundwork for a reelection bid.
Biden and Zelensky have spoken for months about an in-person visit, according to a White House official who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss internal deliberations, but they could not make it work before this week because of security concerns Zelensky faced. The United States supported Zelensky’s travel to Washington, including by providing a U.S. military aircraft that Zelensky flew in overnight from Poland.
Yet Ukrainians have continued to exceed expectations in their ability to take back key cities and territories. Putin initially thought Kyiv would fall in a matter of days after he invaded the country, but Russia had to quickly scale back its ambitions and focus on the country’s east after Ukrainian forces held them off.
The U.S. president had been looking at an end-of-year opportunity to host Zelensky, particularly as the White House and Congress were working to pass and approve large military and economic aid packages, the White House official said.
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