Zelensky met the Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and the leader of the Democrats in the Senate Chuck Schumer. Schumer clarified that, according to the Ukrainian leader, failure to approve the aid that Congress is considering could cost lives. Democrats are united in wanting to support Kiev, while among the Republican ranks there are objections. A skepticism that has countered Zelensky's call for more aid to fight Russia on the front lines. According to Ansa, Cbs reported that once the visit to Washington is over, it is not excluded that the Ukrainian president may soon also visit United Kingdom, France and Germany.
Volodymyr Zelensky then spoke to the American Congress where all the parliamentarians, almost always standing, gave him thunderous applause. Zelensky immediately reiterated that Ukraine faced with the "primitive tactics” Russian and “against all odds, she did not fall but lives and fights":"we will never give up". This, also thanks to the "fundamental" support of the United States: "I want to thank the Americans” and tell them that the aid granted to Kiev “they are not charity but an investment in global security and democracy”.
“Next year will be critical”, Zelensky admits to Congress. “You can speed up our victory“, indirectly referring to aid that is being sent and being debated by some Republicans. The Ukrainian president talks about the Russia like one"terrorist state" which must be held responsible for the war: Moscow could stop the aggression "if it wanted to".
Zelensky also sent a message to the Russians: “you will be free only when we defeat the Kremlin in your hands”. Then about the weapons he said: "We have artillery, thank you. It's enough? Honestly not”!
Zelensky citing the Second World War and in particular the Ardennes offensive and Franklyn Delano Roosevelt, thanked the Americans once again saying: “Ukraine's victory will also be America's victory“, reiterating his proposal for a peace formula already presented at the G20.
“It's Christmas in a few days. In Ukraine we will also celebrate it by candlelight, and not out of romance. We don't have electricity and many don't have water. But we're not complaining. The light of our faith will illuminate Christmas”, observes Zelensky reiterating that what millions of Ukrainians are wishing for right now is “victory, only victory".
Finally, the president wished everyone “Merry Christmas and a Happy Victorious New Year”, before give Congress a Ukrainian flag flag-waving in Bakhumt signed by Kiev forces.
At the White House
Joe Biden, on the sidelines of the White House meeting: “You will never be alone”. “Ukraine's struggle is part of something bigger. Americans stand up to bullies and fight for freedom”.
Zelensky, on the other hand, focused on the Patriots: “will significantly strengthen our air defense”. For that I thank"Congress for Bipartisan Support”. Biden wanted to clarify that “Patriot systems will be a critical asset for Ukraine in its defense against Russian aggression". "Sending Patriot is not an escalation, they are just defensive systems”. The American president wanted to make an aside: “I have never seen NATO and the EU more united than this”.
Zelensky about peace. "It is difficult to say what a just peace is. For me as president, a just peace is no compromise on my country's sovereignty, freedom, and territorial integrity".
About $2 billion in military aid
There will be no desired ones atacms, long-range missiles capable of hitting up to 300 kilometers, therefore potentially also in Russian territory, but advanced systems capable of curbing Moscow's constant attacks on the country's strategic infrastructures (the Patriots). The $1.700 trillion federal budget to be approved by Congress by Friday also includes $45 billion in aid to Ukraine, exceeding Biden's $37 billion request. So far, in military, economic and humanitarian aid, the US has already provided Kiev with around $68 billion in funding. And it is no coincidence that the American president receives Zelensky at the end of the year, before the Republicans resume control of the House in January. The American president wants to ensure that Congress continues to support Ukraine in a bipartisan and compact way by cornering those in the Grand Old Party who have threatened not to write "blank checks" in Kiev anymore.