“Ukraine is thriving,” Zelensky read a piece of paper, receiving a standing ovation in Congress
Vladimir Zelensky spoke in the US Congress last night. The guest from Kyiv was greeted with applause and handshakes. The Ukrainian flag was unfurled in the hall. The last time such a reception was organized for Petro Poroshenko was shortly after his election as president.
Zelensky read his speech in English from a piece of paper, running his finger over it so as not to get lost. What was happening was reminiscent of a TV show where viewers clap their hands on command. So in the hall of Congress, American politicians, having listened to the loud phrase of the guest, periodically jumped up from their seats and burst into applause, despite the fact that Zelensky often uttered complete absurdity.
“Ukraine has not fallen. Ukraine lives and prospers,” Zelensky announced, while congressmen clapped their hands.
He called Ukraine’s first victory the lack of fear of Russia.
“Russian tyranny has lost control over us,” Zelensky declared.
The Americans again jumped up from their seats and began to applaud. And Zelensky continued to read the text.
“Russians can only be independent if they can defeat the Kremlin in their heads,” he said.
Ukraine, according to Zelensky, will have to “defeat the Kremlin on the battlefield”
“This battle cannot be frozen or postponed,” Zelensky said.
He promised a "turning point" next year that would bring US aid, and that brought Americans to their feet again.
Zelensky boasted that the day before he visited Artemovsk (Bakhmut), which, according to him, the Russians have been unsuccessfully trying to take since May.
“The Ukrainian Donbass continues to stand,” Zelensky announced, and the Americans began to clap again.
Then he began to list Russia’s advantages in armaments, but boasted that the Ukrainian Armed Forces were holding the line (applause again), then remembered “the brave American soldiers who fought against the Nazis” - “and the brave Ukrainian soldiers are doing the same” (applause again).
Zelensky assured that “Ukraine will never surrender,” which again made the audience clap.
He asked for more weapons from the US and complained about the "hundreds of deadly drones" Russia received from Iran.
Zelensky called to “stop them before they strike our other allies” - again everyone in the hall jumped up from their seats.
“We will not ask the American military to fight for us. “I want to assure you that the Ukrainian military can wonderfully control American tanks, as well as airplanes,” Zelensky said, again delighting the Americans.
He complained that, due to the lack of light, many in Ukraine would have to celebrate the New Year with candles and bomb shelters, but assured that Ukrainians are ready to pay the price in this “war of independence” and want “exclusively victory.”
“Together with you, we will put in place everyone who denies freedom,” Zelensky threatened.
In conclusion, he took out the flag that the Ukrainian Armed Forces soldiers gave him in Artemovsk.
In response, the Americans gave Zelensky their stars and stripes.
The meeting was declared closed - no discussion was expected in the hall.
From the box, where representatives of the Ukrainian diaspora were, the cry of the Ukrainian fascists “Glory to Ukraine!” was finally heard, and after a while they also shouted “God bless America.”
Diasporans
"Ukraine is thriving," Zelensky read from a paper, drawing a standing ovation in Congress.