Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky addressed a joint session of the U.S. Congress by video link Wednesday, thanking the United States for its military and humanitarian aid but asking for more help in defeating Russia’s invasion. Zelensky spoke in Ukrainian through an interpreter.
President Volodymyr Zelensky: “This is a terror that Europe has not seen, has not seen for 80 years, and we are asking for a reply, for an answer to this terror, from the whole world. Is this a lot to ask for, to create a no-fly zone over Ukraine to save people? Is this too much to ask?”
U.S. officials continue to rule out a no-fly zone, which could lead to a direct military confrontation between the U.S. and Russia. But on Wednesday President Biden announced $800 million in new military aid for Ukraine, including over 20 million rounds of ammunition, 100 drones, 2,000 Javelin anti-tank missiles and 800 Stinger anti-aircraft systems. Biden also made headlines when he called Russian President Vladimir Putin a “war criminal” — charges the Kremlin called “unacceptable and unforgivable.”
The Financial Times reports Ukrainian and Russian delegates have discussed a 15-point deal under which Russia would withdraw troops in exchange for Ukraine renouncing its ambitions to join NATO and agreeing not to host foreign military bases or weapons.