Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky gave a historic speech to a rare joint session of Congress on Wednesday, thanking the United States for helping his country resist an ongoing invasion and warning that significant fighting is ahead.
“Ukraine is alive,” Zelensky said. “Our two nations are allies in this battle and next year will be a turning point.”
The Ukrainian leader noted that because of how critical US support has become for his nation’s resistance, decisions by US lawmakers to continue aid to Ukraine “could save millions of lives.”
“We have artillery. Is enough? Honestly, not really… Your money is not charity. It is an investment in global security and diplomacy that we manage in the most responsible way,” Zeleneksyy said. “Your prosperity is the product of your national security, the result of your struggle for independence and your many victories. And we Ukrainians will go through our war of independence and freedom with dignity and success.”
Zelensky’s trip to Washington is his first outside Ukraine since the Russian offensive began on February 24. He addressed lawmakers after meeting with President Joe Biden in the afternoon, a summit that included the announcement of new White House support for Ukraine, including the transfer of the sophisticated Patriot missile defense system. Separately, lawmakers from both parties agreed earlier this week to give Ukraine an additional $45 billion in military aid.
A growing number of Republicans have questioned US assistance to Ukraine. Skeptics’ arguments range from the technical — proposing audits to ensure weapons are being used as intended — to the conspiratorial, including claims by far-right figures like Fox News host Tucker Carlson that arms manufacturers collude with the Ukrainians to prolong the war.
The group includes Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.), who is expected to hold significant power in the House of Representatives once the GOP takes over that house next year. Green to hit Zelensky’s visit is “absurd”, calling him the “shadow president” of the United States.
Zelenskyy made a clear appeal to Republican critics, noting how Iran — a major foreign policy concern for the GOP — is helping Russia and noting that U.S. forces are not committed to fighting the Russians.
“Ukraine has never asked American soldiers to fight on our soil for us. I assure you that Ukrainian soldiers can handle American tanks and planes perfectly well on their own,” he said. “Thank you to President Biden and both parties … for your invaluable assistance. Thank you to your cities and citizens who supported Ukraine this year.”
However, a senior Biden administration official on Tuesday played down the idea that Zelensky’s visit was designed to drum up support and win over Republican critics, saying it was instead meant to signal resistance to Russian President Vladimir Putin. Meanwhile, some prominent conservatives in and around Congress — such as Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and Bradley Bowman, a scholar at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies — have expressed continued support for Ukraine.
“We are not doing Ukraine any favors. We have a partner who is willing to fight hard to defend our common interests and principles.” Bowman wrotea former GOP congressional aide tweeted.
But lawmakers are unlikely to approve more major aid for Ukrainians once Republicans take control of the House — an alarming prospect for Zelensky, who has vowed to take back territory captured by the Russians but faces a much better-armed opponent in the future , Little bit.
On Wednesday, Rep. Ralph Norman (RS.C.) of the increasingly powerful House Freedom Caucus said the politician he refused to attend Zelensky’s speech and could not imagine supporting additional funding for Ukraine.
“His words won’t change my mind,” Norman said.
The session was attended by a group of far-right lawmakers, including Reps. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) and Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.). However, when a reporter from The Dispatch experienced Gaetz later replied that he was keeping an eye on the aid to Ukraine and added: “I liked the fashion choices.”
Speaking to reporters late Wednesday night, moderate Republican Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (Pa.) said he could convince his colleagues to see a middle ground.
“Nobody wants a blank cheque, obviously nobody should have to put up with that. You can have ongoing funding and you can have transparency and accountability … we should demand both and we will,” Fitzpatrick said, according to Cnn.
Zelensky handed a Ukrainian flag from the front line to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and emphasized that he sees his country and the United States as aligned in a global struggle.
“This battle cannot be frozen or postponed; it cannot be ignored, hoping that the ocean or something else will provide protection,” the Ukrainian president said. “The world is too interconnected and interdependent for anyone to stand out and feel safe at the same time.”
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