Zelenskyy Addresses Joint Session of US Congress; Suggests Creating ‘United for Peace’ Association

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who has already captured the imagination of people of good will around the world, today became a member of a unique fraternity of 48 foreign leaders to address a joint session of the US Congress.

After already speaking in the British and Canadian parliaments, Zelenskyy turned his attention to the United States with an impassioned plea for more humanitarian and military aid.

In a 17-minute address filled with poignant citations from American history, Zelenskyy bartered with his audience of 535 lawmakers, many of whom have been ardent supporters of Ukraine for decades, begging for one type of defense mechanism and then offering a more palatable one.

As Ukrainians fight for their country, lives and freedom against Russian invaders, Zelenskyy reminded the legislators that “Russia has attacked more than just our land and our cities. It went on a brutal offensive against our values. Basic human values. It threw tanks and planes against our freedom. Against our right to live freely in our country, choosing our own future. Against our desire for happiness. Against our national dreams. Just like yours, ordinary people of America. Just like those of everyone in the United States.”

And he insisted on a practical response to safeguard his country and people from annihilation.

“And we ask for a response. For the response from the world. For the response to terror. Is this too much of a request?

“To establish a no-fly zone over Ukraine is to save people. Humanitarian no-fly zone. Conditions under which Russia will no longer be able to terrorize our peaceful cities every day and night. If that’s too much, we offer an alternative.

“You know what defense systems we need. C-300 and other similar systems.

“You know how much depends on the battlefield on the ability to use aircraft. Powerful, strong aircraft. To protect your people. Your freedom. Your land. Aircraft that can help Ukraine. That can help Europe,” he said combining the defense of Ukraine and Europe.

Zelenskyy cited Mount Rushmore, Pearl Harbor, 9-11, Martin Luther King’s “I have a dream” to drive home the point of Ukraine’s suffering and expectations.

Just as American endured death from the skies on September 11, so too are Ukrainian cities experiencing this catastrophic sensation every day: “In a way you could not stop it. Our state experiences this every day! Every night! For three weeks now! Different Ukrainian cities... Odesa and Kharkiv, Chernihiv and Sumy, Zhytomyr and Lviv, Mariupol and Dnipro. Russia has turned the Ukrainian sky into a source of death. For thousands of people.

“Russian troops have already fired nearly a thousand missiles at Ukraine. Countless bombs. They use drones to kill more precisely. This is a terror Europe has not seen for 80 years!”

Zelenskyy repeated the famous “I have a dream” quote but altered it to say “I have a necessity. The necessity to protect our sky. The necessity for your decision. Your help. And it will mean exactly the same thing. The same thing you feel. When you hear: I have a dream.”

The thanked President Biden, legislators and Americans for their support for war-torn Ukraine and its people who are fighting every day for their existence against Russian invaders. He called for sanctions against all Russian legislators, urged all American companies to leave the Russian market that’s “flooded with our blood” and insisted that all American ports be closed to Russian goods and services.

In order to protect future generations against such deadly invasions by foreign enemies, Zelenskyy suggested the establishment of a new association – U24.

“United for Peace. A union of responsible states that have the strength and conscience to stop conflicts. Immediately. Provide all necessary assistance in 24 hours. If necessary - weapons. If necessary - sanctions. Humanitarian support. Political support. Funding. Everything necessary to preserve peace quickly. To save lives. In addition, such an association could provide assistance to those who are experiencing natural disasters, man-made disasters. Who fell victim to a humanitarian crisis or epidemic,” Zelenskyy elaborated.

“If such an alliance, the U-24, had already been formed, I believe it would have saved thousands of lives. In our country, many other countries that need peace so crucially, that suffered inhuman destruction...”

Zelenskyy pointed out that it is not enough to be a leader of a nation, today one needs to be the Leader of the world. “Being the Leader of the world means to be the Leader of Peace,” he clarified.

After showing the audience a visually graphic and psychologically disturbing video of the death and destruction that Russia has rained on Ukrainians, Zelenskyy continued: “Today the Ukrainian people are defending not only Ukraine, we are fighting for the values of Europe and the world, sacrificing our lives in the name of the Future. That’s why today the American people are helping not just Ukraine, but Europe and the world to keep the planet alive, to keep justice in history.”

And addressing senseless deaths and his perception of Biden’s obligation, Zelenskyy said: “Now I am almost 45 years old. Today my age stopped when the hearts of more than 100 children stopped beating. I see no sense in life if it cannot stop death. And this is my main mission as the Leader of my people – great Ukrainians.

“And as the Leader of my nation I am addressing President Biden.  You are the Leader of the nation, of your great nation. I wish you to be the Leader of the world. Being the Leader of the world means to be the Leader of Peace.”

Hopefully President Zelenskyy’s words did not fall on deaf ears.