In historic address, Ukraine's Zelenskyy tells Congress: 'We are united ... the entire free world'
Earlier Wednesday, Zelenskyy met with President Joe Biden at the White House.
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy made a dramatic visit to Washington Wednesday -- his first known trip outside Ukraine since the Russian invasion began in February.
He met with President Joe Biden at the White House and later addressed Congress as lawmakers are set to vote on $45 billion more in emergency aid as part of a larger spending package. Biden on Wednesday also announced the U.S. will send Ukraine a Patriot anti-missile battery to defend against devastating Russian attacks.
In a virtual address to U.S. lawmakers back in March, Zelenskyy emotionally pleaded for more aggressive measures to help fight the war. Invoking key American tragedies, including Pearl Harbor and the Sept. 11 attacks, Zelenskyy told members at the time, "Just remember it … Our country experiences the same every day right now."
Here is how the story developed:
- A gift for Congress: Ukrainian flag from soldiers
- Zelenskyy's speech welcomed by numerous ovations
- 'The light of our faith in ourselves will not be put out'
- Zelenskyy begins speech: 'Dear Americans ... Ukraine is alive and kicking'
- Top congressional leaders meet behind closed doors with Zelenskyy
- Biden defends sending Patriot missile defense system: 'Not escalatory'
Zelenskyy presents Biden with Ukrainian soldier's award
As they spoke at the White House, Zelenskyy presented Biden with an award given to a Ukrainian soldier. The soldier wanted the president to have it, Zelenskyy explained.
"He's very brave," Zelenskyy said of the soldier, who he said is a captain of an HIMARS battery -- an advanced rocket system sent by the U.S. "And he said, 'give it to a very brave president.'"
Biden then asked for the solider's name and if there was any way to contact him.
"Undeserved but much appreciated," Biden said, adding he would give the captain a challenge coin.
Zelenskyy thanks Biden, 'ordinary' Americans for support
In front of a roaring fire inside the Oval Office and flanked by reporters, Zelenskyy thanked President Biden for the support of the United States, which Biden said now includes a Patriot missile defense system and precision bomb kits.
"Thank you so much. Mr. President. Great honor for me to be here, with your journalists. Thank you so much for the invitation," Zelenskyy said. "I really wanted to come earlier, Mr. President knows, but I couldn't do it because the situation was so difficult."
Zelenskyy thanked Biden for his "big support and leadership," as well as the "ordinary" American people for standing with Ukraine.
"Thanks from our ordinary people to your ordinary people -- Americans -- I really appreciate." Zelenskyy said. "Thank you so much."
Biden says US will support Ukraine in pursuing a 'just peace'
Welcoming Zelenskyy back to the Oval Office, Biden said it was an honor to be meeting again amid the "brutal" war being waged by Russia's Vladimir Putin.
"Hard to believe 300 days we've going through this, and Putin has waged a brutal assault on the Ukraine's right to exist as a nation and the attack on innocent Ukrainian people for no reason other than to intimidate," Biden said.
"And he's escalated his assault on civilians after hitting schools, orphanages, hospitals, landmarks, it's just -- and he's trying to use winter as a weapon. But the Ukrainian people continue to inspire the world. I mean that sincerely, not just inspire us but inspire the world with their courage and how they have chose resilience and resolve for their future," Biden said.
Biden said Democrats and Republicans will make sure Ukraine has the economic, humanitarian and security assistance they need to keep fighting and will "support Ukraine in pursuing a just peace."
"President Zelenskyy, the United States stands with the brave people of Ukraine, we stand with you, you've been a great leader," he said as he turned it over to Zelenskyy to give remarks.
Biden greets Zelenskyy at the White House
President Biden and first lady Jill Biden greeted Zelenskyy on the South Lawn of the White House Wednesday afternoon just after 2 p.m. Zelenskyy, donning army green, shook hands with the Bidens after exiting the motorcade.
The South Portico, decorated with holiday wreaths, was also adorned with the American and Ukrainian flags.
"Mr. President, welcome back," Biden said.
In a show of support, Biden was wearing a blue-and-yellow striped tie, the colors of the Ukrainian flag.