Zelensky, before the US Congress: "Against all odds, Ukraine is alive and kicking"

Ukrainian president calls for more weapons from Washington after appreciating its military and financial aid packages

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in a historic speech to the US Congress on Wednesday that "Ukraine will never surrender" despite the actions of Russian troops on its territory.

Zelenski, who has delivered a speech in English of about half an hour before the US congressmen, has remarked that his Army will achieve an "absolute victory", noting that Washington's economic and military aid is "an investment in global security".

"Against all odds and pessimistic scenarios, Ukraine did not fall. Ukraine is alive and kicking," said the Ukrainian leader at the beginning of his speech, indicating that "Ukrainians are not afraid, nor should the world be."

Thus, he pointed out that Ukraine shows "courage that inspires the entire world", while the United States "has united the international community to protect freedom and International Law". In addition, she has stressed that "Europe is now stronger and more independent than ever".

"Russian tyranny has lost control over us and will never influence our minds again," Zelenski assured, words that have caused an ovation from those present in the Chamber.

Meanwhile, he has asserted that "the Russians will have the opportunity to be free only when they win the Kremlin in their minds." He has also affirmed that "necessary measures must be taken" to ensure that countries that are part of "the global south" also take a position in this regard.

"Russia must be won on the battlefield. But this battle is not only limited to territory, somewhere in Europe. Our battle is not only for the life, freedom or security of Ukrainians or any other country at that Russia tries to conquer. This problem will define the world in which our children and grandchildren will live," he denounced.

"This battle cannot be frozen or postponed. It cannot be ignored in the hope that the ocean or something else will provide protection," he criticized.

"From the United States to China, from Europe to Latin America, and from every country to Australia, the world is far too interconnected and interdependent to allow anyone to stand by while still feeling safe when a battle like this continues." has declared.

In this sense, Zelensky stressed that kyiv and Washington "are allies in this battle", since next year "will be a turning point" to guarantee "the future of common freedom", thanks to Ukrainian courage and American determination. .

UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT ASKS CONGRESS FOR WEAPONS

The president has acknowledged that the Russians have a significant advantage in artillery, ammunition, missiles and aircraft. "But our defense forces remain firm", he has settled it.

Zelenski has recounted his experience when visiting the front on Tuesday, in Bakhmut, in the east of the country. "Russian troops have been attacking Bakhmut non-stop since May, day and night, but Bakhmut remains standing."

With this, he lamented the fighting in the territory, where 70,000 people lived last year and "now there are only a few civilians left": "Every inch of land is soaked in blood." "The Russian strategy is primitive, they destroy everything they see", he has criticized, specifying that the Russian authorities send criminals to the front.

"The hundreds and hundreds of deadly Iranian drones sent to Russia have become a threat to our critical infrastructure. This is how one terrorist has found the other. It is only a matter of time before they attack their other allies if we don't stop them now." , has warned.

For this reason, the president has insisted before the US legislators on "the need for more weapons to win the war", since he considers that the artillery that the Ukrainian Armed Forces have "is not enough".

"Your money is not charity. It is an investment for global security and democracy that we will use in the most responsible way," he said, before recalling that Ukraine "has not asked American soldiers to participate in the war." "Ukrainian soldiers are fully capable of operating with US tanks and planes," she said.

In addition, he has reiterated his gratitude to Washington for the numerous packages of financial and military aid, as well as "all those who are thinking of providing us."

"Russia can end its aggression if it really wants to. But you can speed up our victory," he stressed. "Demonstrate to any potential aggressors that no one will succeed in breaking national borders, committing atrocities or imposing on people against their freedom," she said.

After this, he has confirmed that he has discussed with the US president, Joe Biden, the ten-point peace plan to implement joint security. "We need peace and Ukraine has already offered proposals," he said.

FLAG EXCHANGE

The Ukrainian president has delivered to Congress a flag signed by Ukrainian soldiers as a gift to thank the weapons sent to kyiv, an object that had been delivered to him by troops in Donbas the same day he left for the United States.

In return, Pelosi has given Zelensky a folded American flag that had flown over the Capitol building earlier this Wednesday.

After the US Congress received the Ukrainian president on Capitol Hill with a standing ovation, Zelensky thanked the applause, noting that the acclaim for his presence in the House "is too much" for him and his "great people", all of this in what has been the president's first trip abroad since the Russian invasion of his country began on February 24.

Thus, he addressed the congressmen and "all those who value freedom and justice", while he thanked the speaker of the House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi, for visiting "heroically" Ukraine, and the vice president of the Biden Administration, Kamala Harris, for the help provided.