Against all odds ‘Ukraine didn’t fall,’ Zelenskyy says in historic address to U.S. Congress

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy landed in the U.S. on Wednesday morning in what is his first known trip outside his home country since Russia invaded the now war-torn nation in February.

U.S. President Joe Biden and Zelenskyy met at the White House for a bilateral meeting between high-ranking officials from both nations, followed by a joint press conference where Biden pledged to help the young leader for “as long as it takes.” The Ukrainian leader gave a rousing and historic 32-minute address to U.S. lawmakers at the Capitol building in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday night.

“Against all odds and doom and gloom scenarios, Ukraine didn’t fall. Ukraine is alive and kicking,” Zelenskyy said to a loud round of applause and several standing ovations.

“The battle is not only for life, freedom and security of Ukrainians or any other nation which Russia attempts to conquer,” he said, “the struggle will define in what world our children and grandchildren will live.”

Zelenskyy assured Americans that their money wasn’t being wasted in Ukraine, saying its soldiers knew perfectly well how to operate complex U.S. weapons systems and planes.

Earlier in the day, Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced a $1.85 billion military package for Ukraine that includes a Patriot missile system, which Russia has warned the U.S. against sending to Ukraine.

The president’s U.S. visit comes just hours after he made a surprise trip to the front-line city of Bakhmut in eastern Ukraine on Tuesday. There, he met soldiers defending the city from Russian forces, which have been trying to capture it for months.

Zelenskyy praised the bravery and fortitude of troops and civilians in the Donetsk city, saying, “Bakhmut Fortress. Our people. Unconquered by the enemy. Who with their bravery prove that we will endure and will not give up what’s ours. Ukraine is proud of you. I am proud of you! Thank you for the courage, resilience and strength shown in repelling the enemy attacks.”