Full Transcript of Zelensky’s Speech Before Congress The…

 

Full Transcript of Zelensky’s Speech
Before Congress
The Ukrainian president delivered an emotional appeal for further American support,
vowing that his country would prevail in its war with Russia.
Dec. 21, 2022
Thank you so much. Thank you so much for that. Thank you. It’s too much for me. All this for
our great people. Thank you so much. 1
Dear Americans, in all states, cities and communities, all those who value freedom and justice,
who cherish it as strongly as we Ukrainians in our cities, in each and every family, I hope my
words of respect and gratitude resonate in each American heart. 2
Madam Vice President, I thank you for your efforts in helping Ukraine. Madam Speaker, you
bravely visited Ukraine during the full-fledged war. Thank you very much. Great honor. Thank
you. 3
I am very privileged to be here. Dear members of the Congress, representatives of both parties
who also visited Kyiv, esteemed congressmen and senators from both parties who will visitUkraine, I am sure, in the future; dear representatives of diaspora, present in this chamber, and
spread across the country; dear journalists, it’s a great honor for me to be at the U.S. Congress
and speak to you and all Americans. 4
Against all odds and doom-and-gloom scenarios, Ukraine didn’t fall. Ukraine is alive and
kicking. Thank you. And it gives me good reason to share with you our first, first joint victory:
We defeated Russia in the battle for minds of the world. We have no fear, nor should anyone in
the world have it. Ukrainians gained this victory, and it gives us courage which inspires the
entire world. 5
Americans gained this victory, and that’s why you have succeeded in uniting the global
community to protect freedom and international law. Europeans gained this victory, and that’s
why Europe is now stronger and more independent than ever. The Russian tyranny has lost
control over us. And it will never influence our minds again. 6
Yet, we have to do whatever it takes to ensure that countries of the Global South also gain such
victory. I know one more, I think very important, thing: The Russians will stand a chance to be
free only when they defeat the Kremlin in their minds. Yet, the battle continues, and we have to
defeat the Kremlin on the battlefield, yes. 7
This battle is not only for the territory, for this or another part of Europe. The battle is not only
for life, freedom and security of Ukrainians or any other nation which Russia attempts to
conquer. This struggle will define in what world our children and grandchildren will live, and
then their children and grandchildren. 8
It will define whether it will be a democracy of Ukrainians and for Americans — for all. This
battle cannot be frozen or postponed. It cannot be ignored, hoping that the ocean or something
else will provide a protection. From the United States to China, from Europe to Latin America,
and from Africa to Australia, the world is too interconnected and interdependent to allow
someone to stay aside and at the same time to feel safe when such a battle continues. 9
Our two nations are allies in this battle. And next year will be a turning point, I know it,
the point when Ukrainian courage and American resolve must guarantee the future of
our common freedom, the freedom of people who stand for their values. 10
Ladies and gentlemen — ladies and gentlemen, Americans, yesterday before coming
here to Washington, D.C., I was at the front line in our Bakhmut. In our stronghold in
the east of Ukraine, in the Donbas. The Russian military and mercenaries have been
attacking Bakhmut nonstop since May. They have been attacking it day and night, but
Bakhmut stands.11
Last year — last year, 70,000 people lived here in Bakhmut, in this city, and now only
few civilians stay. Every inch of that land is soaked in blood; roaring guns sound every
hour. Trenches in the Donbas change hands several times a day in fierce combat, and
even hand fighting. But the Ukrainian Donbas stands.12Russians — Russians use everything, everything they have against Bakhmut and other
our beautiful cities. The occupiers have a significant advantage in artillery. They have an
advantage in ammunition. They have much more missiles and planes than we ever had.
It’s true, but our defense forces stand. And — and we all are proud of them. 13
The Russians’ tactic is primitive. They burn down and destroy everything they see. They
sent thugs to the front lines. They sent convicts to the war. They threw everything
against us, similar to the other tyranny, which is in the Battle of the Bulge. Threw
everything it had against the free world, just like the brave American soldiers which held
their lines and fought back Hitler’s forces during the Christmas of 1944. Brave
Ukrainian soldiers are doing the same to Putin’s forces this Christmas. 14
Ukraine — Ukraine holds its lines and will never surrender. So, so, here the front line,
the tyranny which has no lack of cruelty against the lives of free people — and your
support is crucial, not just to stand in such fight but to get to the turning point to win on
the battlefield. 15
We have artillery, yes. Thank you. We have it. Is it enough? Honestly, not really. To
ensure Bakhmut is not just a stronghold that holds back the Russian Army, but for the
Russian Army to completely pull out, more cannons and shells are needed. If so, just like
the Battle of Saratoga, the fight for Bakhmut will change the trajectory of our war for
independence and for freedom. 16
If your Patriots stop the Russian terror against our cities, it will let Ukrainian patriots
work to the full to defend our freedom. When Russia — when Russia cannot reach our
cities by its artillery, it tries to destroy them with missile attacks. More than that, Russia
found an ally in this — in this genocidal policy: Iran. Iranian deadly drones sent to
Russia in hundreds — in hundreds became a threat to our critical infrastructure. That is
how one terrorist has found the other. 17
It is just a matter of time when they will strike against your other allies if we do not stop
them now. We must do it. I believe there should be no taboos between us in our alliance.
Ukraine never asked the American soldiers to fight on our land instead of us. I assure
you that Ukrainian soldiers can perfectly operate American tanks and planes
themselves. 18
Financial assistance is also critically important, and I would like to thank you, thank you
very much, thank you for both financial packages you have already provided us with and
the ones you may be willing to decide on. Your money is not charity. It’s an investment
in the global security and democracy that we handle in the most responsible way. 19
Russia, Russia could stop its aggression, really, if it wanted to, but you can speed up our
victory. I know it. And it, it will prove to any potential aggressor that no one can succeed
in breaking national borders, no one committing atrocities and reigning over people
against their will. It would be naïve to wait for steps towards peace from Russia, which
enjoys being a terrorist state. Russians are still poisoned by the Kremlin. 20The restoration of international legal order is our joint task. We need peace, yes.
Ukraine has already offered proposals, which I just discussed with President Biden, our
peace formula, 10 points which should and must be implemented for our joint security,
guaranteed for decades ahead and the summit which can be held.21
I’m glad to say that President Biden supported our peace initiative today. Each of you,
ladies and gentlemen, can assist in the implementation to ensure that America’s
leadership remains solid, bicameral and bipartisan. Thank you.22
You can strengthen sanctions to make Russia feel how ruinous its aggression truly is. It
is in your power, really, to help us bring to justice everyone who started this unprovoked
and criminal war. Let’s do it. Let terrorist — let the terrorist state be held responsible for
its terror and aggression and compensate all losses done by this war. Let the world see
that the United States are here.23
Ladies and gentlemen — ladies and gentlemen, Americans, in two days we will celebrate
Christmas. Maybe candlelit. Not because it’s more romantic, no, but because there will
not be, there will be no electricity. Millions won’t have neither heating nor running
water. All of these will be the result of Russian missile and drone attacks on our energy
infrastructure.24
But we do not complain. We do not judge and compare whose life is easier. Your well-
being is the product of your national security; the result of your struggle for
independence and your many victories. We, Ukrainians, will also go through our war of
independence and freedom with dignity and success.25
We’ll celebrate Christmas. Celebrate Christmas and, even if there is no electricity, the
light of our faith in ourselves will not be put out. If Russian — if Russian missiles attack
us, we’ll do our best to protect ourselves. If they attack us with Iranian drones and our
people will have to go to bomb shelters on Christmas Eve, Ukrainians will still sit down
at the holiday table and cheer up each other. And we don’t, don’t have to know
everyone’s wish, as we know that all of us, millions of Ukrainians, wish the same:
Victory. Only victory.26
We already built strong Ukraine, with strong people, strong army, strong institutions
together with you. We developed strong security guarantees for our country and for
entire Europe and the world, together with you. And also together with you, we’ll put in
place everyone who will defy freedom. Put-in.27
This will be the basis to protect democracy in Europe and the world over. Now, on this
special Christmastime, I want to thank you, all of you. I thank every American family
which cherishes the warmth of its home and wishes the same warmth to other people. I
thank President Biden and both parties, at the Senate and the House, for your
invaluable assistance. I thank your cities and your citizens who supported Ukraine this
year, who hosted our Ukrainians, our people, who waved our national flags, who actedto help us. Thank you all, from everyone who is now at the front line, from everyone who
is awaiting victory.28
Standing here today, I recall the words of the president Franklin Delano Roosevelt,
which are I think so good for this moment. “The American people, in their righteous
might, will win through to absolute victory.” The Ukrainian people will win, too,
absolutely.29
I know that everything depends on us, on Ukrainian armed forces, yet so much depends
on the world. So much in the world depends on you. When I was in Bakhmut yesterday,
our heroes gave me the flag, the battle flag, the flag of those who defend Ukraine,
Europe and the world at the cost of their lives. They asked me to bring this flag to you, to
the U.S. Congress, to members of the House of Representatives and senators whose
decisions can save millions of people.30
So, let these decisions be taken. Let this flag stay with you, ladies and gentlemen. This
flag is a symbol of our victory in this war. We stand, we fight and we will win because we
are united — Ukraine, America and the entire free world.31
Just one thing, if I can, the last thing — thank you so much, may God protect our brave
troops and citizens, may God forever bless the United States of America. Merry
 

 

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