Zelenskyy calls on Congress, ‘We need you right now’
WASHINGTON (KYMA, KECY) - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy virtually addressed Congress on Wednesday intending for President Joe Biden to do more to help Ukraine.
"We need you right now," said Zelenskyy at his virtual address. "I call on you to do more."
Pres. Zelenskyy cited American tragedies like Pearl Harbor and the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, to call on Congress to understand the fear Ukrainians are experiencing.
"Remember Pearl Harbor, terrible morning of December 7, 1941, when your sky was black from the planes attacking you," Zelenskyy said. "Just remember it, remember, September the 11th, a terrible day in 2001 when evil tried to turn U.S. cities into battlefields, when innocent people were attacked from air, just like nobody else expected it and you could not stop it. Our country experiences the same, every day, right now at this moment."
While Ukraine has bipartisan support, there is still a rift when it comes to making decisions that could start a war.
Although Pres. Biden has remained firm on his resistance against implementing a no-fly zone over Ukraine in order to prevent a war, Zelenskyy continued to push for a no-fly zone to be set in place.
The Ukrainian president also persisted in tougher sanctions on Russia and more U.S. military aid.
A pre-recorded, emotional and graphic video of the wrecking of Ukraine and its people was played.
While the footage and photos from the video have already been seen by many, the impact of his message shined through.
Pres. Zelenskyy's direct message to Pres. Biden was how being the leader of the free world also means being the "leader of peace."
Congressmembers gave Zelenskyy a standing ovation before and after his historical speech.
Pres. Biden is scheduled to deliver his remarks on the assistance the U.S. is providing to Ukraine after Zelenskyy's virtual address Wednesday at 9:30 a.m. (MST).
