Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy presented United States lawmakers with a battle-scarred Ukrainian flag from front-line soldiers as he made a speech to the U.S. Congress, Wednesday.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy wrapped up his visit to Washington Wednesday with an impassioned speech before a joint meeting of the U.S. Congress, saying Ukraine’s struggle “will define in what world our children and grandchildren will live.”
“Against all odds, and doom and gloom scenarios,” he began, “Ukraine did not fall. Ukraine is alive and kicking.”
He thanked the U.S. for its military equipment and its financial support.
“Your money is not charity,” he assured Congress. “It is an investment in the global security and democracy that we handle in the most responsible way.”
He ended by presenting to the Congress a battle flag given to him by the Ukrainian defenders of Bakhmut, a city in eastern Ukraine where his forces have been engaged for months in heavy fighting. In return, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi gave him a U.S. flag that had flown over the U.S. Capitol Wednesday.
Earlier Wednesday, U.S. President Joe Biden welcomed Zelenskyy to the White House, his first known visit outside Ukraine since Russia launched its invasion of the country in February.
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