Ukraine’s Zelenskyy addresses Congress, often drawing thunderous applause

By Dana Malcolm 

Staff Writer 

#USA, December 23, 2022 – “No one can succeed in breaking national borders— I hope my words of respect and gratitude resonate in each American heart— Ukraine didn’t fall, Ukraine is alive and kicking– Russian tyranny has lost control over us”

Only some of the words of Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine who for the first time since February 24th 2022 left his war torn country, appearing in front of the lawmakers of his biggest international supporter, The United States.

Welcomed with a standing ovation he stood on Capitol Hill  in plain green army fatigues in contrast to the congress women and men in their sharp suits.  ”Your money is not charity,” he told them. “It is an investment in the global security and democracy that we handle in the most responsible way.”

He described Iran as terrorists alongside Russia as they continue to supply the Kremlin with drones and put to rest the rumors of Ukraine asking for American soldiers.

“I want there to be no taboos between us- Ukraine never asked American soldiers to fight on our land instead of us. I assure you that Ukrainian soldiers can perfectly operate American tanks and planes themselves” He joked with the members on multiple occasions, lightening the mood.

“We have artillery, yes thank you. Is it enough? No not really.” he said eliciting laughs all around

More than $18 billion worth of military and humanitarian aid has gone to Ukraine from the US alone in the 11 months since the war began.  A war that president Biden describes as “Three hundred days of Ukrainian people showing Russia and the world their steel backbone,”

Seriously Zelenskyy maintained that the struggle would decide whether democracy would survive not just in Ukraine but globally.  “This battle cannot be ignored hoping that the ocean or something else will provide protection.  The world is too interconnected to allow some to sit aside and feel safe when such a battle continues.”

Zelenskyy had to stop speaking every few minutes due to the thunderous applause.

The impassioned address was the first of any wartime leader since the UK’s Winston Churchill in 1941 during World War II.