Zelensky at the U.S. Congress: Ukraine to Continue Resisting

His speech to American lawmakers was part of a brief and challenging wartime visit to Washington, with the aim of thanking the country's leaders as well as ordinary Americans for their support of Ukraine in the fight against Russia.

Zelenskiy vowed that he would not compromise efforts to end the war.

The Ukrainian leader's visit was accompanied by the approval of President Joe Biden and Congress of a new assistance in billions of dollars and with the promise to help Ukraine achieve what was called a correct “peace”.

Zelenskiy was greeted with long, strong ovations by lawmakers during his speech in the Capitol.

He said Ukraine would never surrender as it warned that the conflict does not just endanger its country, but test democracies worldwide.

“This battle cannot be ignored, in the hope that the ocean or something else will provide protection”, he said, during an English address given to lawmakers, which he described as a speech to Americans.

Zelenskiy added that tens of billions of dollars in American aid to his country were not charity but an investment in global security.

He said he hoped Congress would continue to support Ukraine with a two-party approach.

So far, there are no signs of the development of peace talks aimed at ending the conflict, and both Russia and Ukraine have signalled their readiness to continue the war. But Zelenskiy said he had discussed with President Beden on a ten-point peace formula offered by Ukraine.

I'm glad President Biden supported our peace initiative. Each of you today, ladies and gentlemen, can help implement the mission to ensure that the American leading role remains solid, and to enjoy mutual support”, Zelenskiy told the American lawmakers.

Biden calls for global unity for Ukraine to continue during 2023

Before the convention speech, the president of Ukraine was received at the White House by US President Joe Biden. The two counterparts then held a joint press conference.

President Biden asked Americans and around the world to continue supporting Kiev even during 2023. This is the first visit by the leader of Ukraine abroad since the start of the war on 24 February.

The United States has sent about $50 billion in aid to Kiev since the beginning of the biggest conflict in Europe since World War II, the conflict during which tens of thousands of people have been killed, millions more have been evacuated from their homes, and many cities have been destroyed throughout the country.

But some Republicans, who will take over the House of Representatives next year, have expressed concerns about the high cost of the war.

“As we approach the new year, it is important for the American people and the world to hear directly from you, Mr. President for the War of Ukraine and the need to continue to stay together until 2023”, Biden said during the White House press conference.

Biden said he had never seen NATO and the European Union more united than in the Ukraine case.

“We are discussing sanctions and legal pressure on the terrorist country Russia”, Zelenskiy said.

Ukrainian President Voldymyr Zelenskiy also said that a fair peace with Russia meant zero compromise on his country's sovereignty and territorial integrity, but he questioned whether such peace could be found for parents who lost their children in the war.

“I don't know what could be considered a fair peace?!”, Zelenskiy said by answering a question about what he considered a fair way to end the conflict.

For me as president, a righteous peace is not compromising my country's sovereignty, freedom and territorial integrity. It means retaliation for all damage caused by Russian aggression”, Zelenskiy continued, referring to his request that Moscow pay for the damage caused.

He also added that it would be difficult to have a fair peace for parents whose children have been killed.

Many parents have lost their sons and daughters on the front line. What does righteous peace mean for them? Money is nothing”, he added.

Earlier during his meeting with Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskiy, President Joe Biden guaranteed Washington's support amid Russia's continuing attacks on Ukraine.

Ukrainian President, who said he had wanted to come to the United States long ago, thanked President Biden, Congress and ordinary Americans for their support of his country.

During the meeting, Zelenskiy awarded Beden a medal for military credit, offered by a Ukrainian military officer. Beden promised to give in exchange the capital of Ukrainian architecture, a medal from one of the many battlefields involving American troops, Iraq, where his son Beau Biden fought.

“You are the man of the year”, President Biden Zelenskiy told him, encrusting the magazine's decision “Time” to put it on the cover.

Beden said Russian President Vladimir Putin is escalating attacks on civilians and is trying to use winter as a weapon.

Zelenskiy said he would hold talks with Beden to strengthen Kiev's defence capabilities against Russia's devastating attacks.

Today, the administration of President Biden announced a new $1.8 billion military aid package for Ukraine, which includes the advanced missile system, the P taught.

President Zelenskiy and other Ukrainian officials have long exerted pressure on Western leaders to offer more advanced weapons, including the Rythriot missile system, to help their country in fighting Russia.

Ukraine's President Voldymyr Zelenski's visit to the United States comes at a time when the US Congress is expected to vote for the budget, which will include a $45 billion aid to Ukraine and Washington's preparation to give Kiev the advanced missile system, CHAPatritot).

The new American aid, which includes the RIC system, signals an expansion from the United States of the type of advanced weapons that will be sent to Ukraine to strengthen its air defence against increased missile attacks by Russia in recent weeks.

The decision to submit the missile system to the Patriot comes despite threats from Russia's Foreign Ministry that Ukraine's supply with this advanced missile system would be considered a provocative step. Moscow has said that military personnel that will accompany the US missile system, the P taught, would be a legitimate target of being shot by Russian forces.

Kremlin warned on Wednesday that increasing Kiev's supply of weapons from the United States would also exacerbate the devastating war in Ukraine, which Russia began illegally 10 months ago.

The United States continues to expand weapons supply and weapons types for Ukraine. All of this, of course, leads to a deterioration of the conflict and, in fact, is not a good sign for Ukraine”, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters Wednesday.

It is not clear exactly when it is expected to arrive at the front line in Ukraine, as US troops will first have to train Ukrainian forces to use this sophisticated technology system.

The exercise could last several weeks and is expected to take place in Germany.

To date, all exercises of Ukrainian forces by the United States and Western allies have been conducted in European countries.