Topline
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said his country is “alive and kicking” despite Russia’s brutal 10-month-long invasion during a speech to Congress late Wednesday, using his first visit to Washington since the war began to thank U.S. lawmakers for sending military support to Ukraine while also making the case for more western aid.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky addresses Congress on Wednesday.
Key Facts
In an English-language speech punctuated with bipartisan applause, Zelensky lauded Ukrainian troops for holding off invading Russian forces, but warned the war could reach a “turning point” next year as Ukraine seeks to fully defeat Russia.
The Ukrainian president thanked the United States for sending artillery, but said his military needs more cannons and shells in order to push back Russian forces rather than simply prevent further advances: “Is it enough? Honestly, not really,” Zelensky said.
Zelensky also asked for U.S. help to stop Russia from operating Iranian-provided drones, warning it’s “just a matter of time when they will strike against your other allies,” and said advanced Patriot missile systems—which the U.S. offered to begin sending to Ukraine this week—will help deflect Russian air attacks on Ukrainian cities.
He said Ukraine doesn’t expect the United States to deploy its own forces to fight Russia, but promised Ukrainians can operate U.S.-made aircraft and tanks themselves (the Biden Administration has sent tanks to Ukraine, but is wary of offering aircraft).
Zelensky repeatedly invoked U.S. history during his speech: He compared Ukrainian forces’ recent struggles to the Revolutionary War’s Battle of Saratoga and World War II’s Battle of the Bulge, and he quoted wartime President Franklin Delano Roosevelt.
Toward the end of his speech, Zelensky presented Congress with a Ukrainian flag signed by service-members in the eastern Ukrainian frontline town of Bakhmut, a “symbol of our victory” that he handed to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) in exchange for a framed American flag flown over the Capitol.
Crucial Quote
“Your money is not charity,” Zelensky told members of Congress. “It’s an investment in … global security and democracy.”
Tangent
Earlier Wednesday, Zelensky visited the White House to meet with President Joe Biden. In remarks to reporters, Biden condemned Russia and promised to back Ukraine “as long as it takes.”
Key Background
Zelensky’s visit to Washington, D.C., marks his first known foreign trip since Russia invaded Ukraine in late February, though he addressed Congress virtually in March and met with U.S. lawmakers during a series of congressional trips to Kyiv. The United States has offered extensive support to Ukraine’s military since the war began, ranging from fairly straightforward anti-tank and anti-air weapons to more sophisticated long-range rocket launchers and air defense systems. Zelensky has credited U.S. aid with helping Ukraine stifle Russia’s ambitions, as the country deflected an attempted Russian takeover of Kyiv and pushed back against Russia’s occupation of eastern Ukraine. But Zelensky has regularly asked Biden and American lawmakers for more assistance, and some Ukrainian military officials warn Russia could redouble its efforts to take over wide swaths of Ukraine or even mount a second invasion of the country next year. Ukraine is also leaning on the U.S. and its allies to tighten their already-strict sanctions on Russia’s government and economy, with Zelensky calling a $60-per-barrel cap on the price of Russian oil imposed by the U.S. and other western countries a “weak” measure.
Big Number
$21.2 billion. That’s how much security assistance the United States has given to Ukraine since the war began, according to the Department of Defense, on top of humanitarian aid and subsidies for Ukraine’s government. Most recently, the Pentagon unveiled a $1.85 billion aid package this week that included a long-sought Patriot air defense system, leading Zelensky to say Wednesday he will return home with “good news.”
What To Watch For
In the coming days, Congress could approve another $44.9 billion in Ukraine-related funding as part of its 2023 fiscal year spending package. The bill includes $9 billion in military assistance to Ukraine, as well as humanitarian aid, assistance for refugees and funds to support the U.S.’s military presence in Europe, according to lawmakers.
Contra
Most congressional leaders have vocally backed assisting Ukraine’s military, including top congressional Democrats and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), but a handful of lawmakers are more skeptical. House GOP leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.)—who is seeking to become House Speaker when Republicans take over the chamber next month—said in October he will not support handing Ukraine a “blank check,” and a group of House progressives signed a letter two months ago calling for talks with Russia, a message they quickly retracted.
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/joewalsh/2022/12/21/zelensky-thanks-us-in-speech-to-congress-but-calls-for-more-aid-to-ukraine/