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Zelensky Addresses Congress
Live drawing hope
President Volodymyr Zelensky was flown to Washington yesterday, the first time he was out of his country of Ukraine since the Russian invasion started 300 days ago. During the day he met with President Biden, and then in the evening, he gave an emotional and rousing speech to a join session of Congress, and I live drew it.
Several times, his speech was interrupted by standing ovations.
In his now familiar military green sweatshirt and cargo pants, he thanked Americans for their support, financially and emotionally. He came to thank us, but also to ask for more help.
He skillfully aimed his remarks at different constituencies in the US, hoping to garner any wavering support among conservative groups. His speech indicated that he will be needing us more in the coming year, particularly as winter descends. You could hear concern in his words.
“We have artillery, yes, thank you,” he said. “We have it. Is it enough? Honestly, not really.” The money, he added, was not charity. “It’s an investment,” he said.
Zelensky celebrated resistance and resilience with anger and resolve. He offered a comparison of this war to the Battle of The Bulge at the end of WWII.
“They burn down and destroy everything they see,” he said of advancing Russian forces. “They threw everything against us, similar to the other tyranny which is in the Battle of the Bulge. Through everything, just like the brave American soldiers which held their lines and fought back Hitler’s forces during the Christmas of 1944, brave Ukrainian soldiers are doing the same, this Christmas.”
Even while invoking the famous battle, Zelensky went on to suggest that it will only be a matter of time before Putin and his allies (Iran) strike against our allies (Israel).
This war, he suggested, is not just about Ukraine.
And he’s right.
