U.S. pols ‘thrilled’ as Zelenskyy to address Congress
Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has been invited to address the U.S. Congress via video on Wednesday as the charismatic leader cements his role as the inspirational face of resistance to the Russian invasion. The event will be livestreamed for the public.
“It’s such a privilege to have this leader of this country, where these people are fighting for their democracy and our democracy,” House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Monday during an event in Brooklyn with New York lawmakers.
Pelosi said that Zelenskyy (top) asked for the meeting when they spoke at the end of last week, and lawmakers are “thrilled” to have him address Congress.
The talk comes as the Ukrainians are fighting for their country’s survival in the escalating war as Russian President Vladimir Putin intensifies his assault, including air strikes on the capital Kyiv. Civilians in Ukraine are taking up arms to hold back Putin’s regime, but the war has launched a mass exodus of more than 2 million people from Ukraine.
“The Congress, our country, and the world are in awe of the people of Ukraine,” said Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer in a statement Monday announcing the address.
The former actor-turned-politician has emerged as an unexpected global hero, defying Russia’s brutal invasion of the sovereign nation.
He brought members of the European Parliament to tears with a plea for help and wowed Britain’s House of Commons in similar video addresses.
Zelenskyy is expected to thank lawmakers for their support and plead with them to stay the course as outnumbered Ukrainian troops seek to repel the Russian invaders.
President Biden is expected to sign a big spending bill Tuesday containing $13.6 billion in Ukraine-related aid. During Pelosi’s call last week, Zelenskyy said his country would need help rebuilding from the war.
“We have to do more in terms of meeting the needs of some of the 2.7 million refugees,” she said.
She said of the Ukrainians: “They’re fighting for democracy writ large.”