Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky made his first overseas visit to the United States since the beginning of the war. Zelensky was welcomed at the White House by US President Joe Biden and his wife, Jill Biden. At the press conference held after the bilateral meeting, Biden stated that the US has provided more than $20 billion in military aid to Ukraine so far and said, “We will stand by Ukraine as long as it stands there.” Zelensky, on the other hand, stated that the Patriots included in the US military aid package are very important for Ukraine. “This is a very important step for Ukraine to establish a safe airspace,” Zelensky said. Zelensky then addressed members of Congress in a joint session of Republicans and Democrats in the US Congress.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who made his first visit abroad since the beginning of the Russia-Ukraine war, came to Washington, the capital of the USA, to hold talks.
Zelensky entered the White House in a khaki suit with the Ukrainian crest, which he wore throughout the war.
The Ukrainian leader was welcomed at the White House by US President Joe Biden and his wife Jill Biden.
“YOU ARE THE PERSON OF THE YEAR”
After the welcome, the two leaders held a short meeting open to the press in the Oval Office. “I am very happy that you were able to make this visit.” Biden said that they will support Ukraine until there is a just peace.
Biden stated that (Russian President Vladimir) Putin used the winter season as a weapon against Ukraine, and said, “You are this year’s person,” and referenced Time magazine’s selection of Zelenski as “Person of the Year”.
BIDEN: WE WILL CONTINUE TO SUPPORT UKRAINE
After the bilateral meeting, the leaders held a joint press conference.
At the meeting, Biden said that Russian President Vladimir Putin has further escalated the war by targeting critical infrastructures in Ukraine.
Biden, summarizing the aid the US has given to Ukraine so far, noted that his country will continue to provide aid to Ukraine.
Responding to the question of why the United States did not meet Ukraine’s needs at once, Biden said that the United States has provided more than $20 billion in military aid to Ukraine so far, and that it has provided many weapons, from advanced air defense systems such as Patriot to missile and rocket systems.
Turning to Zelenski, Biden said, “Mr. President, you don’t have to worry. We will stand by Ukraine as long as Ukraine stays there.”
“PUTIN STRENGTHENED NATO”
Asked whether there will be a change in his willingness to continue supporting Ukraine in 2023 against Russia, Biden said he has never seen NATO and the European Union (EU) so united.
President Biden continued:
“(In the will of the European countries) I have not seen any signs of a change in this matter. We all know what is at stake here. Our European partners are the ones who understand this best. We have not seen one country occupy another country in Europe since the Second World War. We “They didn’t see any sign of Putin changing unless we resisted, supported the Ukrainians to resist. We all know what’s at stake. The idea of sovereignty, the UN Treaty is at stake. (Putin) thought it would weaken NATO, but instead made NATO stronger.”
DO THE PATRIOTS RISE TENSION?
When asked what is the way to end the Russia-Ukraine war fairly, Biden replied that this war could end with Putin’s order for his troops to withdraw, but he did not expect this to happen at the moment.
Biden said, “So what? What we’re talking about today is that we will continue to help Ukraine succeed in the war. They can succeed on the battlefield with the help of us, our European allies and others. So when President Zelensky is ready to talk to the Russians, he will be successful then too, because he will be successful in the war. will have won.” said.
When asked how the US calculates the possibility of escalating tensions with Russia, given the Patriot air defense systems to Ukraine, Biden said that this weapon is only for defensive purposes and is not a capability to escalate tensions.
ZELENSKI: PATRIOTS ARE VERY IMPORTANT TO UKRAINE
President of Ukraine Zelenski stated that this visit he made to the USA was “historic” and said, “In the last 30 days of the war, we entered a new era in our relations with the USA and we became real allies.”
Thanking US President Joe Biden for his support to Ukraine, Zelenski said that the $2 billion aid package announced by Biden and the Patriot air defense systems, the most important content of this package, are very important for them.
“This is a very important step for Ukraine to establish a safe airspace. Only in this way can we end the terrorist attacks against the terrorist country (Russia) and its energy resources, our people and our infrastructure,” Zelenski said. he said.
Zelenski also thanked the US for the additional financial support of approximately 45 billion dollars and said, “Each dollar of this US aid will strengthen international security.”
PEACE SUMMIT PROPOSAL
Zelenski said that Russia should be held accountable for its actions, adding that it is also very important to create a formula for peace building.
Expressing that they took certain steps in this context and conveyed this to the US side, the President of Ukraine stated that they presented some proposals for an international peace summit and that they hoped that the US would help them to implement them.
Zelenski addressed members of Congress at a joint session of Republicans and Democrats in the US Congress.
At the session chaired by US Vice President Kamala Harris and US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, members of Congress greeted Zelenskiy with a long standing ovation.
Zelenskiy started his speech by thanking the members of Congress, especially the American people, “It is a privilege for me to be here.” expressed his opinion.
“NEXT YEAR WILL BE THE TURNING POINT”
Zelensky, saying that they have won over Russia in the minds of the whole world, said, “Despite all the gloomy scenery, Ukraine did not fall. Ukraine is alive and is pushing back (Russia)”.
Stating that the Americans and Europeans also achieved a victory in this war, Zelenskiy said, “This is why Europeans are stronger than ever.”
“The Russian cruelty has lost control over us. It will never affect our minds again,” said Zelensky.
On the other hand, Zelenskiy stated that they must defeat the Russians on the field, and in his speech, “This struggle will decide what kind of world our children and grandchildren will live in.” made his statement.
Expressing that next year will be a “turning point” for both Ukraine and the USA, the President of Ukraine emphasized the courage of Ukraine and the determination of the United States.
“UKRAINE WILL NEVER BE DELIVERED”
Explaining that Russia has been carrying out non-stop attacks on Bahmut since May, Zelenskiy said that there are very few civilians left in this city, where 70,000 civilians lived last year.
Zelenskiy pointed out that Russia is ahead of them in military ammunition and ammunition, but the Ukrainian defense forces are still standing.
Comparing the struggle of the Ukrainian soldiers to the American soldiers fighting against Hitler in 1944, Zelenskiy said, “Ukraine will never surrender.”
ZELENSKY ACCEPT RUSSIA AND IRAN OF BEING ‘STATE OF TERROR’
Stating that the ammunition support given to them is important but not sufficient, Zelenskiy continued his words as follows:
“Russia has found an ally in this genocidal policy: Iran. Iran has sent hundreds of deadly drones to Russia that threaten our infrastructure. So one terrorist has found another. It’s only a matter of time before they attack our other allies. If we can’t stop them now… We have to do it.”
Stating that Ukraine never demanded that American soldiers fight on Ukrainian soil instead of them, Zelenski noted that Ukrainian soldiers can use American tanks and planes perfectly.
“YOUR MONEY IS NOT A CHARITY, INVESTMENT IN SECURITY AND DEMOCRACY”
The President of Ukraine also thanked for the financial support to his country, saying, “Your money is not charity, it is an investment in global security and democracy.”
Defining Russia as a “terrorist state”, Zelenskiy stated that it would be naive to expect steps towards peace from this country, that the Russians themselves were poisoned by the Kremlin, and that Russia should pay the price for what it did.
UKRAINE FLAG GIFT FROM THE FRONT LINE TO THE CONGRESS
At the end of his speech, Zelenski presented the Speaker of the House of Representatives Pelosi with the Ukrainian flag bearing the signature of Ukrainian soldiers, which was presented to him in Bahmut, the front line in eastern Ukraine, as a thank you for the support they gave them.
In response, Pelosi presented Zelenski with a waving US flag on the Capitol building.
