Biden confirmed a 1.85 billion arms aid package for Ukraine. Zelenskyi stated that the aid provided is not charity but an investment in global security and democracy.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyi visited the United States on Wednesday. Zelenskyi met the President of the United States during his visit, which started on Wednesday evening Finnish time Joe Biden At the White House and gave a speech to Congress.
At the joint press conference of the presidents, Biden promised the support of the United States and its allies to Ukraine in order to achieve a “just peace”. He also confirmed a new security aid package worth 1.85 billion, which includes, among other things, the Patriot anti-aircraft system. Zelenskyi said the system will be an important part of Ukraine’s air defense.
“No compromises”
Zelenskyi said at a press conference that, in his opinion, a just peace means no compromises on Ukraine’s territorial integrity. Zelenskyi added that Russia must compensate for all the damage caused by its attack on Ukraine.
According to Zelensky, the war will end when Ukraine’s sovereignty, freedom and territorial integrity are restored. However, he also questioned the whole idea of a just peace.
– How many parents have lost their sons and daughters on the front line? What is a just peace to them? Money means nothing. War reparations do not help. They live for revenge.
According to Joe Biden, the Russian president has With Vladimir Putin have no intention of ending “this brutal war”. Biden stated that the war could end today if Putin had “any dignity” and withdrew his troops from Ukraine.
– But that won’t happen, Biden said.
Biden also stated that Russia failed in its attempt to weaken NATO and achieved the opposite result. As one example of this, he mentioned the aspiration of Finland and Sweden to become members of the military alliance.
A big round of applause from the Congress
From the White House, Zelenskyi continued his journey to the US Congress on Capitol Hill. In his speech to the Congress, he stated that, contrary to previous expectations and predictions, Ukraine did not fall, but is “alive and strong”.
– Ukraine stands by its side and will never give up.
Zelenskyi emphasized that the war is not only about fighting for territories in Ukraine, but the outcome of the war will determine what kind of world future generations will live in. According to him, the countries of the world are so dependent on each other that no country can stay out of the fight and feel safe. Zelenskyi added that the aid given to Ukraine is not charity.
– It is an investment in global security and democracy.
Zelenskyi received long applause from the congressmen before the start of the speech and many times during it as well.