"We have artillery, is it enough? Not really." He explained that Ukraine needs enough ammo and weapons to be able to completely expel Russian forces from Ukrainian territory. He also spoke of the misery that Russian-operated Iranian drones are unleashing on the civilian population in attacking energy infrastructure. "I would like to thank you for the financial packages," he said, and followed with: "Your money is not charity" but an investment in "global security" that Ukraine will "handle in the most responsible way."
Among the more interesting statements was the moment he indirectly pressed for the US to provide tanks and warplanes. While he stressed that Ukraine has never asked American troops to fight on Ukraine's behalf on its soil, he asserted: "I can assure you that Ukrainian soldiers can perfectly operate American tanks and planes themselves."
On the potential for a negotiated peace, he called attention of his prior "10-point plan" which he said should be implemented (and which Russia previously firmly rejected), and which he said Biden approved of during the Wednesday meeting at the White House.
Zelensky additionally called on Congress to join Ukraine in bringing every Russian "criminal" to justice. "Let the terrorist state" be held accountable, he said. He emphasized millions of Ukrainians will have no heating or water as they celebrate Christmas.
"Only victory!" he stressed near the end of the speech, and also quoted from Franklin D. Roosevelt's famous "Day of Infamy" speech. "The American people in their righteous might will win through to absolute victory," Zelensky said, and followed by pledging that Ukraine too will achieve "absolute victory."
Meanwhile in Moscow...
Update (1920): Zelensky is expected to make an "appeal to the American people" - as he previewed earlier - at 1940ET. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi in welcoming him about an hour ago to the Capitol building compared the Ukrainian leader to Winston Churchill. Watch live:
Throughout the afternoon, CNN's live coverage has been talking a lot about the below tweet by Donald Trump Jr...
Summary :Putin will "fail" and that Ukraine will have continued "success" on the battlefield with US help.
Biden further pointed out it's been 300 days since Putin launched an "unprovoked, unjustified all-out assault" on Ukraine, part of the "imperial appetites of autocrats". Interestingly, Biden affirmed that even before the invasion the US was helping Ukraine to prepare to defend itself .
Biden hailed that the Ukrainian military has "won" in the battles for Kyiv, Kherson and Kharkiv. Biden additionally claimed Zelensky is "open" to pursuing a just peace while Putin is not. Further, continued unreserved support was pledged, with no hint of peace talks or a ceasefire...
"I look forward to signing the omnibus bill soon which includes $45 billion for Ukraine," Biden said, while also unveiling 1.8 billion of security assistance that includes both direct transfers as well as contracts for future ammo supplies. In total, it will constitute "$2.2 billion in new support," Biden said. The package will include a patriot missile battery , Biden said, as previewed. While emphasizing that Patriot systems will be a "critical asset" for Ukraine, he admitted that training "may take some time". Biden as expected also stressed the "defensive" nature of the Patriot system.
Biden further in the Q&A said that Putin had "strengthened NATO" with the decision to invade.
AFP Zelensky for his part, said he's "thankful" for all that the American people have done , and that this is currently a "historic" visit. He said he's especially "grateful" to President Biden for his strong stance in support of Ukraine. Every dollar of this investment is toward "strengthening global security," Zelensky said. He repeatedly referred to "terrorist" Russia and its decision to invade, based on "tyranny". He pledged that ultimately Ukraine will "win" - and that "we will win together".
Biden pledged during the press conference that US support will remain "for as long as it takes" .
* * *
Update (1425ET): Watch live as President Biden kicks off a joint press conference with Zelensky.
Update(1340ET) :
Update(10:45ET) :Reuters somewhat cynically previewed the visit :
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy headed to Washington on Wednesday to meet President Joe Biden, address Congress and seek "weapons, weapons and more weapons" in his first overseas trip since Russia invaded Ukraine 300 days ago.
Surprisingly, the Associated Press additionally highlighted the latest video address by Zelensky, who yesterday while visiting a frontline fighting area in Bakhmut, said the following at a moment Congress is set to to approve $45 billion more in aid for Ukraine in the proposed massive omnibus package :
"We will pass it on from the boys to the Congress, to the president of the United States. We are grateful for their support, but it is not enough. It is a hint — it is not enough ," Zelensky said.
The US is about to reach $100 billion in total aid committed to Ukraine, and as Glenn Greenwald points out, this far surpasses the total current Russian military budget...
And yet Zelensky and the constant refrain of top Ukrainian officials has been essentially that despite the blank check approach of the Biden administration, it is never enough. Apparently even the mainstream media is beginning to recognize this.
However, over at CNN Zelensky is being compared to Winston Churchill...
ith Ukraine's Zelensky reportedly in the air en route to Washington where he's is to deliver a "very special" in-person speech to US lawmakers, it's being widely reported Wednesday morning that President Biden is expected to announce the US will deliver the Patriot missile defense system , along with another $2 billion in defense aid.
An admin official quoted in Axios
During Zelensky's March virtual address to Congress, via CNN. The unnamed official further said the White House wants to put on a "big show of bipartisan support for Zelensky" in hopes of shoring up political "momentum" for continued assistance to Kiev, which is also coming in the form of the enormous omnibus spending package which includes $45 billion in military, economic, and other foreign aid to Ukraine.
White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said in a statement that the Ukrainian president's visit will be received with "strong, bipartisan support for Ukraine."
She said "The visit will underscore the United States’ steadfast commitment to supporting Ukraine for as long as it takes, including through the provision of economic, humanitarian, and military assistance."
Zelensky in the meantime tweeted confirmation while en route...
Meanwhile, some initial reaction coming out of Moscow...
PUTIN: INTERBALLISTIC MISSILES SARMAT WILL BE DEPLOYED FOR COMBAT DUTY IN NEAREST FUTURE RUSSIAN DEFENCE MINISTER SHOIGU: WE ARE READY FOR TALKS RUSSIAN DEFENCE MINISTER SHOIGU: JOINT FORCES OF WEST ARE FIGHTING RUSSIA IN UKRAINE WEST TRIES TO OVERLOOK NUCLEAR BLACKMAIL, INCLUDING OVER ZAPORIZHZHIA NUCLEAR POWER STATION WEST TRIES TO DRAG ON THE FIGHTING IN UKRAINE RUSSIAN DEFENCE MINISTER SHOIGU: WE ARE FIGHTING TO SAVE PEOPLE IN UKRAINE FROM GENOCIDE AND TERROR MILITARY POTENTIAL OF UKRAINE IS BEING DESTROYED
It will be interesting to see whether Zelensky's appearance before Congress is greeted with the same level of enthusiasm from all corners of the GOP.
developing...
