OPEN LETTER/ Come to the dialogue and listen to me speak, otherwise I will cut off your scholarships, you will rot in prison. Please!

 Kliko këtu për të tjera
Voxpress:

Zelensky's historic speech to Congress: Your aid is not "charity", but an investment in global security

2022-12-22 07:50:37Kosova&Bota SHKRUAR NGA REDAKSIA VOX

Zelensky's historic speech to Congress: Your aid is not

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky received a standing ovation on Capitol Hill for his speech to a special session of Congress in an effort to convince US lawmakers and senators to continue funding his country's war against Russian invaders.

After his meeting at the White House with US President Joe Biden, Zelensky was called to address a bipartisan audience in his first trip outside Ukraine since Russia launched its invasion in late February.

Disa sekonda brohoritje vazhduan ndërsa Zelensky arriti në podium, disa deputetë i shtrënguan dorën.

“Është shumë për mua”, tha Zelensky me shaka teksa filloi fjalimin e tij.

Ai tha se Ukraina mund ta fitojë luftën kundër një ushtrie ruse të armatosur më mirë, por shtoi se ndihma ushtarake dhe financiare e SHBA-së është “vendimtare” për të arritur fitoren përfundimtare.

Mbrojtja e Ukrainës “nuk është vetëm për jetën, lirinë dhe sigurinë e ukrainasve. Ajo do të përcaktojë nëse do të ketë demokraci për ukrainasit dhe amerikanët”, tha Zelensky.

Lufta “nuk mund të ngrihet ose shtyhet, nuk mund të injorohet, duke shpresuar se oqeani ose diçka tjetër do të sigurojë mbrojtje”, tha ai.

Zelensky's trip to the US comes as Congress prepares to vote on a sweeping spending bill that includes a provision to allocate about $45 billion in military aid to Ukraine.

The bill is expected to pass, but US support for Ukraine has waned as the 10-month war drags on and Americans feel the brunt of high inflation.

Many members of the Republican Party, which will take control of the US House of Representatives in January, have criticized the massive aid to Ukraine at a time when the US economy is suffering. They have also questioned the way the aid is being used.

Some members of the Democratic Party, on the other hand, have expressed concern that military aid will provoke Russia.

Zelensky tried to address these concerns, saying that US aid is not "charity" but "an investment in global security and democracy that we treat in the most responsible way."

Saying that Ukraine is an ally of the US in the fight for global democracy, he noted that Iran - which the United States has labeled a terrorist state - has become an ally of Russia in its war against his country, sold hundreds of deadly kamikaze drones.

"This is how one terrorist has found another," he said, also referring to Ukraine's labeling of Russia as a terrorist state.

"It's only a matter of time before they hit your other allies if we don't stop them now," Zelensky said.

Zelensky "spoke to Americans in several ways" during his speech, Elise Giuliano, professor of political science at Columbia University's Harriman Institute for Russian, Eurasian and East European Studies, told RFE/RL.

"He appealed to our interest to protect democracy, but also our security," she said.

Giuliano said Zelensky cleverly mentioned Iran's support for Russia because many Americans identify Tehran as an "evil" and "aggressive" actor that the US "must counter."

Zelensky's visit to the US was the first since the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine on February 24.

At the White House, he held a meeting with US President Joe Biden, with whom he discussed aid and the course of the war. He also held talks with Congress leaders from both parties.

"I want all the people of Ukraine to know that the American people are with you every step of the way, and we will stand with you," Biden said.

He announced a new aid package for Ukraine - worth $1.85 billion - which also includes a battery of the Patriot missile defense system.

Zelensky said that the Patriot system is the most powerful part of the new package.

However, this system will not be deployed immediately, because US troops must first train Ukrainian forces on how to use and maintain it.

The Patriot is considered one of the most advanced US air defense systems and offers protection against aircraft, cruise missiles and ballistic missiles.


Në përputhje me standarded JTI

Video

SHIKO KANALIN NE YOUTUBE
×