Washington (AP) —Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky recalled memories of the terrorist attacks on Pearl Harbor and September 11, 2001, and called on the US Congress on Wednesday to seek help. Ukraine fights Russia.. President Joe Biden said the United States is sending more anti-aircraft, anti-aircraft weapons and drones.
Zelensky, who was livestreamed to an enthusiastic audience of lawmakers on a huge screen, admitted that the no-fly zone he demanded to “close the sky” in his country’s airstrikes might not occur. Biden resisted and approved that the United States or NATO send MiG fighters from Poland.
Instead, Zelensky sought other military aid to stop Russia’s attack.
Mr Biden explained the aid already ready to be announced, saying that the United States will send another $ 800 million in military aid and a total of $ 2 billion in aid to Kyiv since taking office more than a year ago. rice field. Last week, about $ 1 billion in aid was sent. According to Biden, the new support includes 800 Stinger anti-aircraft systems, 100 grenade launchers, 20 million small weapons ammunition and grenade launchers, mortar ammunition, and an unspecified number of drones.
“We will give Ukraine the weapon to overcome the difficult days of the future and fight,” Biden said.
Biden will provide more support to save his young democracy than the world leaders have ever promised to provide, hours after Zelensky gave a video speech to members of the U.S. Congress. Made an ardent plea to the United States and the West.
For the first time in a public speech to world leaders, he showed a graphic video of the destruction and devastation that his country suffered in the war and the tragic scene of civilian casualties in a packed auditorium of legislators.
“I need you right now,” Zelensky said. “I call on you to do more.”
Parliamentarians gave standing ovations before and after his brief remarks. Zelensky started in Ukrainian through his interpreter, but switched to English with his heartfelt appeal to end his bloodshed.
“If it can’t stop death, I have no meaning in life,” he said.
As the three weeks of the intensifying war approached, Zelensky used the global stage to call on Allied leaders to stop Russia’s invasion of its own country. Young people who have turned from young actors to presidents often focus on what has been drawn from history and has a strong look.
Biden is a no-fly zone or Movement of military aircraft from neighboring Poland This is because the United States is trying to avoid a direct conflict with Russia, which is nuclear-armed.
According to another person familiar with the issue that is not allowed to speak publicly, the White House is considering giving Ukraine access to a US-made switchblade that can fly and attack Russian targets. is doing. It wasn’t immediately clear if the new drone that Biden said would deliver to Ukraine would include a switch blade.
Zelenskyy has emerged as a heroic figure at the heart of Europe’s greatest security threats and what many see since World War II. Almost 3 million refugees have fled Ukraine. The fastest escape in modern times.
Zelinsky, wearing the now-traded army green T-shirt, went to the World Trade Center in 2001 with the destruction suffered by the United States when Japan bombed a naval base in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii in 1941. Raised the attack and began speaking to “American friends.” And the Pentagon by radicals who ordered passenger planes to clash with the symbols of Western democracy and economy.
“Do you remember Pearl Harbor? … Do you remember September 11th?” Zelenzkyy asked. “Our country is now experiencing the same thing every day.”
Biden said he listened to Zelensky’s “important” speech, but did not directly mention Ukraine’s criticism that the United States and the West could do more. The US President said Zelensky’s speech reflected the “courage and strength” of the Ukrainians shown throughout the crisis.
“We are united in hatred for Putin’s fallen onslaught, and we will continue to hold their backs while they fight for freedom, democracy, and survival itself.”
Senator Angus King independent of Maine. During Zelensky’s speech, he said there was a “breathtaking group” in the room. Lisa Murkowski, Republican Senator of Alaska, said: It’s closed. “The majority, Whip Dick Durbin, called the address tragic, saying,” I’m doing a blank check on sanctions. I’m doing anything I can to prevent this Russian advance. ” rice field.
Outside the Capitol, the demonstrators had the big sign they saw when the lawmakers returned to the office. “No-fly zone = World War 3.”
The Ukrainian president is not a stranger to parliament, Donald Trump’s first impeachment.. As president, Trump was accused of refraining from security assistance to Ukraine because he pressured Zelensky to dig up the dirt of his political rival Biden. Zelenskyy refused to impeach or convict Trump from a huge screen on Wednesday, but many of the same Republicans are now one of the bipartisan members seeking military aid to Ukraine. I talked to.
He thanked the Americans, saying that Ukraine was grateful for the overflow of support, even though he urged Biden to do more.
“You are the leader of the country. You want to be the leader of the world,” he said. “Being a world leader means being a peace leader.”
Zelenskky uses the great western legislature to seek help, summons Shakespeare’s Hamlet in the British Parliament last week, asks if Ukraine should “live” and appeals to “Dear Justin” on Tuesday. So this was my latest visit. When he addressed Parliament of Canada and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. He often seeks more help to save his young democracy than the world leaders have ever promised to offer.
To Congress, he painted the image of Mount Rushmore and told MPs that the people of his country wanted to live the dreams of their people as they did.
“Democracy, independence, freedom.”
Biden argues that Ukraine does not have U.S. forces on the ground, resisting Zelensky’s relentless plea for military aircraft as too risky and could escalate to a direct confrontation with nuclear-armed Russia. ..
“The direct conflict between NATO and Russia is World War III,” Biden said.
Zelenskyy seemed to acknowledge the political reality.
“Is this too much to ask to create a no-fly zone over Ukraine?” He asked in answer to his question. “If this is too much, we will offer an alternative,” he said, seeking a weapons system to help fight Russian aircraft.
Already, the Byden administration has over 600 Stinger missiles, 2,600 Javelin bulletproof vest systems, unmanned aerial system tracking radar, grenade launchers, 200 shotguns, 200 machine guns, about 40 million small weapons ammunition, helicopters and patrols in Ukraine. I sent it to. Boats, satellite imagery, bulletproof vests, helmets and other tactical equipment, according to US officials.
Parliament has already approved $ 13.6 billion in military and humanitarian aid to Ukraine, and the newly announced security aid comes from its allocation, which is part of a broader bill that Biden signed the law on Tuesday. Will come.
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Associated Press writers Zeke Miller, Mary Clare Jalonick, Aamer Madhani, Ellen Knickmeyer, Farnoush Amiri, Kevin Freking, Alan Fram, Nomaan Merchant, Chris Megerian, Raf Casert (Brussels), Jill Lawless (London), Aritz Parra (Madrid) , Video journalist Rick Gentilo in this report.
