Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy delivered an impassioned address to Congress on Wednesday during his first out-of-country visit since Russia launched its war in February of this year.
The 44-year-old, clad in his customary military-green outfit, was welcomed with a raucous round of applause from lawmakers in the chamber.
First addressing the public, Zelenskyy said he hopes his “words of respect and gratitude resonate in each American heart.”
“Against all odds, and doom and gloom scenarios. Ukraine didn't fall. Ukraine is alive and kicking,” Zelenskyy said, later adding: “Our two nations are allies in this battle. And next year will be a turning point. I know it – the point when Ukrainian courage and American resolve must guarantee the future of our common freedom. The freedom of people who stand for their values.”
Zelenskyy went on to thank President Joe Biden for the $1.85 billion defense package announced at the start of his visit to the United States, which will be the first to include a Patriot missile to strengthen Ukraine’s air defense.
The Ukrainian leader on Wednesday asked for continued assistance from the United States, saying the support is “crucial not just to stand in such a fight, but to get to the turning point to win on the battlefield.”
“We have artillery. Yes. Thank you. We have it. Is it enough? Honestly, not really,” Zelenskyy said, to a chorus of laughter from lawmakers, going on to delineate what his frontline soldiers need to keep fending off Russian attacks. “To ensure Bakhmut is not just a stronghold that holds back the Russian army, but for the Russian army to completely pull out, more cannons and shells are needed.”
“Financial assistance is also critically important and I would like to thank you [...] for both financial packages you have already provided us with, and the ones you may be willing to decide on,” Zelenskyy continued. “Your money is not charity; it is an investment in the global security and democracy that we handle in the most responsible way.”
Between Jan. 24 and Nov. 20, 2022, the United States had provided roughly $48 billion in aid to Ukraine, according to the Council on Foreign Relations, funds that were split between humanitarian, financial, military, security and other assistance. Congress is poised to approve another $45 billion for Ukraine as part of an omnibus spending package, which would ensure funding for the country would continue well into next year.
The massive $1.7 trillion omnibus, which includes funds to run the government through Fiscal Year 2023, is currently being debated in the Senate, and Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., told reporters on Wednesday evening lawmakers are "still working on an agreement to vote on amendments and pass the omnibus tonight.
“We aren't there yet. We're making progress,” he said, ahead of Zelenskyy’s speech.
Some Republicans have expressed concern over the continued large sums of money for Ukraine, the most vocal of whom has been Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., who has repeatedly called for investigations into the funds sent to the country.
Rep. Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., who is currently locked in a race to become Speaker of the House next Congress, in October said his party would not issue a “blank check” for Ukraine should Republicans ultimately retake the House.
“I think people are gonna be sitting in a recession and they’re not going to write a blank check to Ukraine,” McCarthy told Punchbowl News at the time. “They just won’t do it. […] It’s not a free blank check.”
McCarthy doubled down on those comments Wednesday, saying Zelenskyy delivered a “very good speech.”
“He laid out a number of reasons why the free world wants to continue the fight,” McCarthy told reporters. “My position has never changed. I support Ukraine but I never support a blank check.”
McCarthy met with Zelenskyy ahead of the latter’s address to Congress on Wednesday. According to reports from CNN, the House Republican asked Zelenskyy during their closed-door meeting about on-the-ground conditions in Ukraine, questioning the leader about the impact of Russian weaponries and Iranian drones.
In his public address to Congress, Zelenskyy said Iran’s “deadly drones sent to Russia in hundreds and hundreds became a threat to our critical infrastructure.”
“That is how one terrorist has found the other. It is just a matter of time when they will strike against your other allies if we do not stop them now,” he added.
Republicans in the Senate, meanwhile, appear largely aligned behind more support for Ukraine, with Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., telling CNN those opposed to providing more funds represent “a distinct minority.”
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., speaking from the Senate floor earlier Wednesday, suggested the “incoming House Republican majority will be able to use their goggles to keep an even closer eye on Ukraine aid and make sure that the Biden administration is doing everything possible to rebuild our defense industrial base.”
“The Ukrainian people are courageous and innocent and they deserve our help,” McConnell added, going on to stress that “the most basic reasons for continuing to help Ukraine degrade and defeat the Russian invaders are cold, hard, practical, American interests.”
In addition to requesting additional funds and military assistance from the United States, Zelenskyy revealed that President Biden supported Ukraine’s proposed peace initiative during talks earlier in the day, a 10-point plan which – as introduced before the G20 summit in November – would include the release of all prisoners and detainees, international observers to assess damage within Ukraine, a cap on Russian energy prices and a signed document confirming the end of the war, among other provisions.
Saying the agreement “should and must be implemented for our joint security [to be] guaranteed for decades ahead,” Zelenskyy said he was grateful that “President Biden supported our peace initiative today.”
“I thank President Biden and both parties in the Senate and the House for your invaluable assistance,” Zelenskyy concluded his address. “I thank your cities and your citizens who supported Ukraine this year, who hosted our Ukrainians, our people who waved our national flags, who acted to help us.”
Lawmakers and other dignitaries largely reacted with admiration for Zelenskyy and echoed the White House’s pledge to continue supporting Ukraine in its fight against Russia.
“The most important thing going on in the world is to beat the Russians in Ukraine,” Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., told reporters Wednesday night. "Fortunately they have a leader that everyone can look up to and admire — also it's nice to have something here at the end of the year that we all actually agree on,” referring to providing aid for Ukraine.
“Inspired and moved tonight to see President Zelensky address Congress to reaffirm the friendship between our countries and remind us that American support is ‘not charity’ but ‘an investment in global security and democracy,’” Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg wrote on Twitter. "We will continue to stand with Ukraine.”
“Thank you, President Zelenskyy,” Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., wrote on Twitter. “America stands with you and with the brave people of Ukraine. Before Congress, you have spoken to the urgency of getting this funding bill done to approve more emergency wartime funding for Ukraine.”
California Rep. Adam Schiff compared Zelenskyy to another famous wartime leader who delivered a memorable address to Congress, calling the Ukrainian leader “the Churchillian figure of our time.”
“When we last met, I told him how inspired I was by him — and how the US would always stand by his people,” Schiff wrote on Twitter. Today, that commitment is as ironclad as ever. We are with you, Mr. President.”
Schiff was not the only Democrat to make the comparison to Churchill.
"Tonight, just as Winston Churchill addressed our Congress in 1941, having led his nation in its defense against the dark forces of tyranny, we heard from an inspiring leader engaged not just in protecting his own country but the entire free world," House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md., said in a statement. "President Zelenskyy and the people of Ukraine have mounted a historic defense of their sovereign country in the face of a brutal and criminal invasion by Vladimir Putin's regime. In doing so, they have reminded Americans and the world what it means to sacrifice for liberty."
"As President Zelenskyy made clear, Ukrainians would never have been able to defend against this invasion or liberate occupied territories without the aid and unwavering support from the United States and our democratic allies around the world," Hoyer continued, adding: "We must, as President Kennedy once said, 'pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and success of liberty.' Democracy's future hinges on our continued commitment to the Ukrainians' cause, whose victory will not only belong to Ukraine but to all who cherish freedom."
“Moving words by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on the House floor tonight. He’s right: Ukraine’s fight for freedom is inextricably linked to the freedom and security of nations across the globe—including the United States,” New York Rep. Mondaire Jones said. “Congress must continue to support our ally.”
“So incredible to witness history and hear President Zelenskyy’s powerful address to Congress about the need for continued, unwavering U.S. support to win this war,” California Rep. Sara Jacobs wrote on Twitter. “America has your back.”
“It was an honor to host you at our Capitol; and very moving to receive the flag you delivered from the frontlines,” New York Rep. Pat Ryan said in a message to Zelenskyy on Twitter. “We must continue to stand strong and united to defend democracy.”