Volodymyr Zelensky, In Historic Speech To Congress, Says Ukraine Will “Never Surrender” To Russia

UPDATE: President Volodymyr Zelensky was greeted by rousing ovations by a joint session of Congress as he told lawmakers that Ukraine would “never surrender” in its war against Russia.

In his speech, running about 20 minutes and delivered in English, Zelensky compared his country’s winter fight to that of American soldiers fighting Nazis in the Battle of the Bulge, which also took place in a cold December. “Ukraine holds its line and will never surrender,” he said.

It was one of several moments in his speech that connected American history — and American ideals — to what is happening in Ukraine.

“It is just a matter of time when [Russia] will strike against your other allies … if we do not stop them now. We must do it,” he said.

The speech reflected the former comedian’s gifts at communication, with memorable lines and standout visual moments, as when he presented House Speaker Nancy Pelosi with a Ukrainian battle flag as a “symbol of our victory in this war.” Pelosi in turn presented him with the U.S. flag flown over the Capitol on Wednesday.

“Against all odds and doom and gloom scenarios, Ukraine didn’t fall,” Zelensky said. “Ukraine is alive and kicking.”

Before the speech, Zelensky appeared with Pelosi, who compared his speech to Congress to that of Winston Churchill in 1941, addressing lawmakers and the country after the shock of Pearl Harbor and U.S. entrance into the war. Pelosi noted that her father, Thomas D’Alesandro, was a congressman at the time and was present for Churchill’s address.

As he read from his printed speech, his finger at times directing him through the text, Zelensky did not shy away from comparisons to that moment, even its timing during the holiday season. He talked about how many Ukrainians would have a candlelit Christmas because of Russian attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure. Still, Zelensky said, “we will celebrate Christmas, and even if there is no electricity, the light of our faith in ourselves will not be put out.”

Zelensky’s speech was timed just as Congress is considering a $1.7 trillion spending bill that includes $45 billion in aid for Ukraine. While the bill is expected to garner substantial bipartisan support in the Senate, House Republicans, led by Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, oppose the entire spending package. There also has been some wavering among McCarthy and others as to how long the U.S. will commit that support. McCarthy, running for House speaker when the GOP gains control of Congress next month, was present for Zelensky’s speech, but was not present when Zelensky toured part of the Capitol along with Pelosi, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell. According to a pool report, just 86 House Republicans were in the chamber for the speech.

Perhaps sensing waning interest in support for Ukraine in the next Congress, Zelensky said, “Your money is not charity. It is an investment in the global security and democracy that we handle in the most responsible way.” He told the lawmakers that it was in “your power” to bring “to justice everyone who started this unprovoked and criminal war.”

Zelensky also made a reference to a 10-point peace proposal and a summit with Russia, but he did not offer details and made clear that Ukraine had to win the war.

PREVIOUSLY, 1:46 PM PT: In a joint press conference with Volodymyr Zelensky, President Biden pledged that the U.S. will continue to assist Ukraine “as long as it takes” and will “do everything in our power to make sure” the Ukrainian president succeeds in its war with Russia.

“The American people have been with you every step of the way, and we will stay with you, we will stay with you as long as it takes,” Biden said.

Biden talked of Zelensky being open to pursuing a “just peace” with Russia, but Zelensky later made clear that “just peace” meant “no compromise as to the sovereignty, freedom and territorial integrity of my country, the payback for all of the damages inflicted by Russian aggression.” He also said “no compensation or reparations” are of “no consequence” for parents who lost children in the war and are now being hardened in seeking revenge.

“There can’t be any just peace in the war that was imposed on us…by these inhumans, I would say,” Zelensky said.

Zelensky’s response to Biden’s reference to “just peace” was a pushback to the idea that he would be pressured into negotiating some kind of compromise to end the war.

Biden then told reporters that a “free, independent and prosperous Ukraine is the vision.”

When one reporter asked why the U.S. and allies can’t give Ukraine “all capabilities it needs” and “liberate all territories sooner rather than later,” Biden quipped that Zelensky’s “answer is yes.”

“I agree,” he said.

But Biden pointed to the need to hold together the NATO and EU alliance in their support for Ukraine. “They are not looking to go to war with Russia. They are not looking to a third world war,” Biden said.

He finished the press conference by telling Zelensky he did “not need to worry.”

“We are staying with Ukraine as long as Ukraine is there,” Biden said.

PREVIOUSLY, 12:00 PM PT: During a photo op in the Oval Office, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky presented a medal to Joe Biden that an Army officer wanted to give to the U.S. president as a thank you.

“He asked me to pass his award, and he asked me to pass his award to President Biden…He is very brave and he said, ‘Give it to the very brave president,’” Zelensky said.

“Undeserved but much appreciated,” Biden said. He said that he would give the military officer a U.S. military command coin.

In brief remarks, Zelensky also thanked Biden and Congress for their support, and “thanks from our ordinary people to your ordinary people, Americans, I really appreciate.”

Biden told Zelensky he was “delighted you could make the trip,” adding that Russian President Vladimir Putin, in escalating his assaults on civilians, was trying to “use winter as a weapon.” Biden also noted that Zelensky was Time’s Man of the Year.

A White House official said that Biden planned to announce a new round of aid to Ukraine, including a Patriot missile defense system, “which will be a critical asset to defend the Ukrainian people against Russia’s barbaric attacks on Ukraine’s critical infrastructure.”