Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyi spoke to the US Congress early Thursday morning. In his speech, he emphasized the importance of Ukraine for the future of the whole world.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyi made his first foreign visit since the start of the Russian invasion when he traveled to the United States on Wednesday.
The professor of political history of the University of Helsinki who visited in the morning on Thursday Juhana Aunesluoma and director of the Foreign Policy Institute Mika Aaltola estimate that the visit is especially indicative of the deepening of the countries’ relations. The United States has taken a clear leading role in how Western countries support Ukraine, which is fighting a defensive war.
– The United States sends a message to all its other allies, whether they are European or Asian. When a tight spot comes, the United States is behind in the same way that it was behind its allies in the conflicts of the 20th century and financed them until victory was achieved, Aunesluoma estimates.
In connection with the visit, the president Joe Biden confirmed a new security aid package worth 1.85 billion, which includes, among other things, Ukraine’s long-sought Patriot anti-aircraft system.
– This is a weapon system that has been sold to, for example, Sweden and exported to the most important allies. Now it is given to Ukraine, and it tells that the United States is open and the available resources are quite large, says Aaltola.
Zelensky’s message cuts across both parties in the United States
According to the pair of experts, Ukraine is not only important to the United States because of the war, but also because of geopolitics. Ukraine has a population of tens of millions, and it is the largest country in Europe by area.
– Having such an alliance relationship with such a large state, which is militarily quite capable, is very important for the United States in terms of realpolitik. It also creates a deterrent in relation to China, Aaltola estimates.
Zelenskyi spoke to the US Congress early Thursday morning. In his speech, he emphasized the importance of Ukraine for the future of the whole world.
– The similes in Zelenskyi’s speech work for both Republicans and Democrats. For Democrats, Russia is a big authoritarian state and a basic troll, while for Republicans it is China. Here they were tied together when talking about global security, Aaltola states.
According to Aunesluoma, Zelensky’s visit was well-timed, as power in the US House of Representatives is passing from the Democrats to the Republicans after the midterm elections. The turning point makes it possible to thank the help of the previous administration, but also to create relations with the new ruling party.
– It seems that the reactions have been really positive. Especially in the United States, the fact that Zelenskyi spoke in English has been praised. He really tried to speak to the American public and the different parties in Congress.