President Volodymyr Zelenskyi addressed the members of the US Congress on Wednesday evening, before whom he said in a speech in English that his country is resisting thanks to the aid received and intends not to succumb to Russian aggression. .

After a meeting at the White House with President Joe Biden, who assured him of continued support for Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyi arrived at the Capitol with a strong message: “Ukraine is alive.”

He thanked the Americans and “all who value freedom and justice” for their efforts to help Ukraine.

Zelensky showed that Ukraine won a psychological victory over Moscow. “Contrary to all calculations and gloomy scenarios, Ukraine has not fallen. Ukraine is alive,” the president of Ukraine said on Wednesday.

“And this gives me a good reason to share with you our first joint victory. We defeated the Russians in the battle to conquer the consciousness of the world. We are not afraid… Ukraine won this victory, and it gives us courage that inspires the whole world. America won this victory… Europeans have won this victory. Russian tyranny has lost control over us,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.

“Ukraine stands firm and will never surrender!”

Russia “will never influence our consciousness again,” the Ukrainian president assured. Russians will be free only when they defeat the Kremlin in their minds, Zelensky emphasized.

“The world is too interconnected and interdependent for anyone to allow themselves to remain on the sidelines and at the same time feel safe while this struggle continues. Our two nations are allies in this battle,” he continued. Zelensky, whose speech was interrupted many times by applause.

“Bakhmut holds on. Every inch of this land is covered in blood, but Ukrainian Donbas stands. Russian tactics are primitive. I set fire to everything I see. Ukraine holds on and will never surrender!” – assured the leader from Kyiv.

“The Russians are using everything, everything they have against Bakhmut and our other beautiful cities, the occupiers have a significant advantage in artillery. They have an advantage in ammunition. They have far more missiles and planes than we ever had. .It’s true. But our defense forces are holding on,” Zelenskyy continued, before calling on members of Congress to strengthen sanctions against Moscow and hold “terrorists accountable for aggression.”

“You can increase sanctions so that Russia feels the cost of its aggression. Indeed, it is in your power to help us bring to justice all those who started this unprovoked criminal war. Let’s do it. Let’s hold the terrorists responsible for the aggression and compensate for all the damages, caused by this war,” Zelensky urged.

“Next year will be a turning point”

In his speech, the Ukrainian president noted that US President Joe Biden supported his 10-point peace plan, but added that every member of Congress can contribute to its implementation.

“Next year will be a turning point, a moment when Ukrainian courage and American determination will become a guarantee of Ukraine’s freedom, the freedom of people who defend their values,” Zelenskyi said.

“We need peace. So. Ukraine has already offered the proposals that I just discussed with President Biden, our peace formula – 10 points that should and must be implemented for our common security, and a summit that can be held. I am pleased to share that President Biden today endorsed our peace initiative. Each of you, ladies and gentlemen, can help implement it so that the American leadership remains strong, bicameral and bipartisan,” Zelenskyy addressed the American congressmen.

“Here on the front lines, tyranny has no shortage of brutality against the lives of free people, and your support is critical not only to sustain this fight, but to reach a tipping point, to win on the battlefield,” he said.

“We have artillery, yes, thank you. Is it enough? Frankly, not much,” Zelensky said, hinting at the need to obtain more advanced combat systems, such as Patriot missiles, which Joe Biden previously announced as part of new military aid to Ukraine on the amount of 1.8 billion dollars.

“Your money is not charity”

Zelenskyi said that Ukraine is fighting for its “independence and freedom”, as well as for other countries of the free world that may become victims of Putin’s aggression in the future, and therefore asked for continued support from the United States. to achieve these goals.

“Your money is not charity. It is an investment in global security and democracy, which we dispose of most responsibly,” Zelensky assured.

“Deadly Iranian drones, which are being sent to Russia by the hundreds and hundreds, have become a threat to our critical infrastructure. This is how one terrorist found another. It’s only a matter of time before they strike at your other allies if we don’t stop them. now. We must do it,” he emphasized.

He mentioned the contribution and sacrifices of Americans in the Second World War to show that Ukrainian soldiers are making similar efforts now in the war.

Just like the “brave American soldiers who held the line” and fought against Hitler’s Nazi Germany in 1944, Ukrainian soldiers are “doing the same to Putin’s troops this Christmas,” Zelenskyy said to applause from the audience. “All of us, millions of Ukrainians, want one thing. Victory. Only victory,” Zelenskyy said.

“The light of our faith will not go out”

The President of Ukraine announced that Ukrainians will celebrate Christmas this year despite the horrors of war, telling Congress: “Even if there is no electricity, the light of our faith will not go out.”

“If they attack us with Iranian drones, and our people have to go to anti-radio shelters on Christmas Eve, Ukrainians will still sit down at the festive table and make each other happy,” he added.

Applauding for a long time at the end of the speech, the President of Ukraine handed the Speaker of the House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi a gift for the US Congress – a Ukrainian flag with the signatures and messages of Ukrainian soldiers fighting in Bakhmut, which Zelensky visited. the day before

Instead, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi presented Zelensky with a rolled-up American flag — the same one that flew over the Capitol on Wednesday.