When Zelenskyy said that Ukraine “will never succumb” in a speech at the US Capitol, lawmakers applauded him wildly.
In a bold wartime visit to Washington, US officials and “ordinary Americans” were thanked by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for their assistance in fending off Russia’s invasion. Zelenskyy also said that “no compromises” would be made in the effort to put an end to the conflict. The bipartisan Biden Administration and Congress responded by promising to provide billions in new aid to Ukraine as part of their efforts to secure a “just peace.”
During a speech at the US Capitol, Zelenskyy drew a standing ovation from lawmakers as he vowed that Ukraine “will never surrender” and cautioned that the conflict’s implications went beyond his country’s fate, warning that democracy around the world is at risk. In what he had labelled as a “message to Americans,” he continued in English, “This struggle cannot be neglected, expecting that the ocean or whatever else will provide security.”
The US and Ukraine will continue to present a “united defence” as Russia launches a “brutal assault on Ukraine’s right to exist as a nation,” Biden said in a statement welcoming Zelenskyy to the Oval Office earlier on Wednesday.
Zelenskyy said he hoped to travel earlier and that his visit now demonstrated the “situation is under control, thanks to your support,” on his first known journey outside of his country since Russia invaded in February.
Zelenskyy rejected Biden’s definition of a “just peace,” saying, “For me as president, “just peace” is no compromises, when pressed on how Ukraine would attempt to put an end to the conflict. When Ukraine’s freedom, sovereignty, and territorial integrity were reestablished, along with “payback for all the damages inflicted by Russian aggression,” he claimed the war would come to an end.
The conflict that was forced upon us cannot result in a “fair peace,” he continued.
After a devastating 10-month war that has claimed tens of thousands of lives on both sides and devastated Ukrainian citizens, the highly sensitive journey was taking place.Zelenskyy’s trip was intended to galvanise support for his nation in the US and abroad amid worries that allies are becoming weary of the expensive conflict and its disruption of the world’s food and energy supplies.
Just prior to his arrival, the US announced a $1.8 billion military aid package for Ukraine that included Patriot surface-to-air missiles for the first time. Additionally, Congress was about to vote on a spending plan that included approximately $45 billion in emergency help for Ukraine.
Russia is “trying to exploit cold as a weapon,” according to Biden, while Ukrainians “continue to inspire the world.”
Later, he claimed that Russian President Vladimir Putin “had no intention of terminating this horrible conflict” during a joint press conference.
The two leaders seemed to get along well, cracking jokes and giving each other pats on the back throughout the meeting, but Zelenskyy made it plain he will keep pushing Biden and other Western leaders for increased support.
After the Patriot system was operational, he claimed, “we will send President Biden another signal that we would like to receive more Patriots.”
Biden laughed at the forthright question, and Zelenskyy added with a smile, “We are in the fight. “I apologise. I sincerely apologise.
“You need to speak directly to the American people and the world about Ukraine and the necessity to remain united through 2023,” Biden said.
