[UK's Independent] Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has addressed the US Congress virtually after being invited by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer. He received a standing ovation when he appeared on the screen before lawmakers.
During his remarks he called on the US to remember Pearl Harbour and the September 11 terrorist attacks as it sees the people of Ukraine attacked and killed by Russian forces.
The Ukrainian president told lawmakers in his wartime address to Congress on Wednesday that Ukraine “experiences the same every day” now as America did during its own darkest days.
Mr Zelensky also asked Congress for Soviet-made air defence systems and fighter jets as an alternative to a Nato-enforced humanitarian no-fly zone over his country’s airspace.
US and Nato officials have so far declined his pleas for a no-fly zone over Ukraine because such a measure would place Nato warplanes at risk of direct engagement with Russian aircraft, raising the possibility of a nuclear confrontation.
LAter today President Joe Biden is expected to announce $800m (£612m) of aid to the eastern European country, a sum that would bring the total aid sent to Ukraine in the last week alone to $1bn.
Mr Biden is also reportedly considering providing Ukraine with US-made drones, including the recently developed so-called “loitering missile” system known as Switchblade. Drones have played a major part in Ukraine’s defence against the Russian assault, in particular TB2 drones supplied by Turkey. |