Zelenskyj’s appeal in the US Congress: A speech that went to the heart

More sanctions, more weapons for Ukraine and a no-fly zone – in an emotional speech, Ukrainian President Zelenskyj demanded help from the United States. And his speech showed success.

President Joe Biden is the leader of his great country, said Volodymyr Zelensky. Now he asks him to become the leader of the world. And the leader of the world is the leader of peace.

It was an unusual morning in Congress. The Ukrainian President – in a green T-shirt next to a Ukrainian flag – spoke via video conference to the members of the House of Representatives, who – cross-party – felt very deeply. It was very emotional, many MPs cried, said Michael McCaul, a Republican from Texas, later on CNN.

Standing applause for Selenskyj

Selenskyj had played a video showing pictures of doctors, injured, dead, crying children and destroyed cities. Before and after his speech, Zelenskyi was greeted with standing applause.

The Ukrainian President appealed to the United States to make more weapons available – primarily to prevent Russian airstrikes. According to the interpreter, Russia has turned the skies over Ukraine into a source of death for thousands of people.

Demand for aircraft and air defense systems

He therefore called for a no-fly zone again. And if that is too much to ask, then there is an alternative. The US knows what kind of defense systems Ukraine needs: aircraft and anti-aircraft systems, specifically the Russian-made S 300 system.

Zelenskyj also demanded that new sanctions packages have to be launched every week until the Russian machine stops. All Russian politicians who are still in their seats should be punished. All US companies would have to leave Russia and all ports for Russian goods would have to be closed.

Ukraine could create its own no-fly zone

The President of Ukraine reminded the United States of the attack on Pearl Harbor and the September 11 terrorist attacks. His country has been experiencing this every day for three weeks.

The US and NATO have so far refused to establish a no-fly zone. They fear that this could exacerbate the conflict with Russia. Republican Michael McCaul pointed to another possibility today: Ukraine could create its own no-fly zone if it got the military equipment and weapons.

US MPs: Tougher stance on Russia

Although otherwise deeply divided, Republicans and Democrats are very much in agreement on their stance on the war in Ukraine. They just unanimously passed a resolution condemning Russian President Vladimir Putin as a war criminal. Many lawmakers from both parties are demanding that Biden take even tougher action and deliver even more military equipment. They expect an even tougher stance on Russia, primarily protecting Ukrainian cities from Russian airstrikes.

Another $800 million in aid

The President yesterday provided nearly $14 billion in emergency aid to Ukraine, including arms and humanitarian aid. Today he announced an additional $800 million in aid as part of the nearly $14 billion American aid package. This became known from the White House and President Biden is expected to officially announce it later today.

This is the government’s response to calls for more support for Ukraine without the US itself intervening in the conflict.

With information from Arthur Landwehr, ARD Studio Washington