WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy urged American lawmakers to do extra to guard his nation from Russia’s invasion in an tackle to the U.S. Congress on Wednesday during which he pleaded with President Joe Biden to be the world’s “chief of peace.”
“Russia has turned the Ukrainian sky right into a supply of loss of life for 1000’s of individuals,” Zelenskiy stated in his digital tackle earlier than displaying video containing graphic photos of loss of life and destruction in Ukraine that ended with “shut the sky over Ukraine.”
Zelenskiy continued his push for the imposition of a no-fly zone over Ukraine and requested for extra planes and protection techniques to answer a Russian invasion launched final month that has brought on large-scale destruction in his nation and has unleashed a wave of refugees. He additionally referred to as for extra financial sanctions towards Russia.
Ukraine is dealing with terror that Europe had not skilled since World War Two and the nation’s future is being determined, Zelenskiy advised the U.S. lawmakers by an interpreter.
“Is this loads to ask for – to create a no-fly zone over Ukraine to avoid wasting folks? Is this an excessive amount of?” Zelenskiy requested in his remarks constituted of Kyiv, his nation’s capital that’s beneath assault on daily basis however, he stated, “does not quit.”
Zelenskiy closed his tackle with a direct plea in English to Biden: “I want you to be the chief of the world. Being the chief of the world means to be the chief of peace.”
Along with NATO, Biden and plenty of U.S. lawmakers have resisted a no-fly zone amid issues that it will escalate the battle with nuclear-armed Russia. The White House to date additionally has not supported a proposal to assist switch Russian-made MiG warplanes into Ukraine, although that concept has some assist in Congress.
Zelenskiy invoked American historical past, asking the lawmakers to recollect the 1941 Japanese bombing of Hawaii’s Pearl Harbor, the 2001 al Qaeda assaults on the United States and civil rights chief Martin Luther King Jr.’s 1963 “I’ve a dream” speech in Washington.
“I’ve a dream. These phrases are recognized to every of you immediately. I can say: I’ve a necessity. I want to guard our sky,” Zelenskiy stated.
Zelenskiy acquired a standing ovation earlier than and after his remarks, with House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi introducing him with Ukrainian phrases that means “glory to Ukraine.” At the conclusion of his remarks, Zelenskiy waved over the video feed and put his hand on his chest in thanks for the reception.
Biden on Tuesday signed into legislation $13.6 billion in emergency support to Ukraine to assist it get hold of extra weaponry and for humanitarian help. Biden was anticipated to announce $800 million in safety help to Ukraine afterward Wednesday, a White House official stated.
He beforehand introduced a ban on Russian oil and different power imports and has referred to as for a suspension of Russia’s buying and selling standing that affords its exported merchandise decrease tariffs in the worldwide area.
APPEALS TO PARLIAMENTS
Zelenskiy’s tackle to lawmakers in Washington got here a day after he made a plea to Canada’s parliament for extra Western sanctions on Russia and the imposition of a no-fly zone over Ukraine. He made related appeals to the British and European parliaments this month.
Zelenskiy has sought in current weeks to shore up assist for his nation in varied speeches to overseas audiences, additionally together with the European Parliament and the British Parliament.
Russia calls its actions in Ukraine a “particular operation.”
Support for Ukraine is a uncommon occasion during which Republicans and Democrats have aligned in a sharply divided U.S. Congress, with some lawmakers in each events urging Biden to go additional in serving to Ukraine. There is a few bipartisan assist in Congress for dashing fight plane to Ukraine.
Democratic and Republican members of Congress, moved by the speech, stated they have been able to do extra for Ukraine rapidly, by clamping down on Russia, offering extra army support for Kyiv and tightening international human rights legislation.
But they once more rejected the thought of a no-fly zone over Ukraine, saying there was too nice a danger of a wider battle.
“This is a horrific second in world historical past and I hope and pray that it may come to an finish quickly,” Democratic Representative Jim McGovern stated.
Republican Representative Liz Cheney stated the United States has completed an important deal and may do extra rapidly, noting that Biden can do extra on his personal.
“The United States has acquired to steer. Our personal freedom and safety relies upon upon it. And there will be no equivocation between our assist for Ukraine versus Russia,” Cheney advised reporters after the speech.
On Tuesday, the Senate unanimously handed a decision condemning Russian President Vladimir Putin as a battle felony.
Putin was defiant in an tackle on Wednesday as Zelenskiy wrapped up, saying the West will solely provoke Russia additional with its hostile actions.
(Reporting by Richard Cowan and Patricia Zengerle, David Morgan and Doina Chiacu; Editing by Will Dunham, Scott Malone and Mark Porter)
