WASHINGTON — The President of Ukraine expressed his gratitude before the US Congress on Wednesday (21/12/2022) for financial assistance to Ukraine and noted that the money was not charity but an investment.
“Your money is not charity. It is an investment in global security and democracy that we are dealing with in the most responsible way,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy said at the session.
“Thank you for the financial assistance you have provided us and any other assistance you may wish to decide on,” he said.
Earlier that day, President Joe Biden held a press conference with Zelenskyy at the White House and announced he would provide $1.85 billion in military aid to Ukraine, including the Patriot missile defense system.
“Ukraine is not falling,” Zelenskyy said in a speech to the Congress. “Ukraine lives and fights.”
He said their battle was not only for “territory”, “freedom” and “security” for Ukraine but for “any other country.”
“The world has always been interconnected and interdependent to allow someone to be eliminated and at the same time feel safe as the fighting continues,” said Zelenskyy.
Recalling his unexpected visit to the town of Bakhmut in the embattled eastern Donetsk region on Tuesday, he said the Russian military and mercenaries had been attacking the town since May.
“They have been attacking him day and night, but Bakhmut is holding out,” he said.
Zelenskyy said that the Russians had a “significant advantage” in artillery and ammunition, “but our defenders are holding out.”
Emphasizing once again that his country will not surrender, Zelenskyy told US lawmakers that their support is “vital not only to survive the fight but also to reach a turning point in order to win on the battlefield.”
“We have artillery. Yes. Thank you. we have it. Is that enough? Honestly, not really,” he said.
More cannon and shells are needed to allow the Russians to completely retreat, Zelenskyy added.
“Ukraine has never asked American soldiers to fight on our soil, not us. I assure you that the Ukrainian army can perfectly operate American tanks and aircraft on its own,” he said.
He also mentioned Iranian drones sent to Russia, which “posed a threat to our critical infrastructure.”
Zelenskyy left the country on Wednesday for the first time since the war with Russia began 10 months ago to consult with President Joe Biden and US lawmakers in Washington.
Prior to his speech to the US Congress, he met Biden at the White House, where he held a joint press conference.
After his address to Congress, Zelenskyy presented the Ukrainian flag to US lawmakers.