Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky delivered a video address to members of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives today. He mentioned the painful history of Pearl Harbor, 9/11, etc., and once more called for the establishment of a no-fly zone over Ukraine, or the provision of defensive weapons or aircraft.
According to CNN and the BBC, Volodymyr Zelensky received a standing ovation from the audience when he opened today. U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi said lawmakers all salute Zelensky’s courageous leadership.
Zelensky said Ukraine was facing its worst war since World War II and had resisted Russian aggression for eight years, which not only attacked his country, but “continues to launch a brutal attack on our values.”
Zelensky also mentioned the portraits of the presidents on Mount Rushmore in the United States, saying that these presidents laid the cornerstone of American democracy, independence and freedom.
He also asked U.S. lawmakers to keep in mind Pearl Harbor during World War II and the 9/11 attacks in 2001 when considering his plea matter”.
Today, Zelensky said, “Russia has turned the skies of Ukraine into a source of death for thousands”. To this end, he hopes to curb Russian airstrikes, and once once more called for the establishment of a no-fly zone over Ukraine.
He asked, “Does this count as too much?” If it is too much, then he wants the United States to provide the defense system he needs to resist air attacks, and hopes that there will be planes to protect Ukraine’s freedom.
The U.S.-led North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) has so far rejected a no-fly zone over Ukraine, arguing that doing so might raise tensions with Russia.
Zelensky also said that Kyiv was hit by missiles and airstrikes every day, but “we didn’t even think for a second that we were going to surrender”.
At the end of his speech, Zelensky directly called on U.S. President Joe Biden to be the “leader of peace.” “The peace of your country no longer depends on you and your people.” (Translator: Yang Zhaoyan / Verification:) 1110316
