Zelenskyy delivers plea to Congress: 'I call on you to do more'
Categories: FOREIGN COUNTRIES
President Volodomyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine made an urgent and emotional appeal to Congress on Wednesday to come to his country’s aid as it fights off a brutal Russian invasion, asking help protecting its air space, military assistance and stronger sanctions as part of what he cast as a war for the cause of democracy itself.Wearing a green T-shirt and seated next to a Ukrainian flag, Zelenskyy tailored his remarks to Americans and those who represent them, borrowing a phrase from Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. — “I have a dream” — as he asked for a no-fly zone over his country. “I have a need” to protect the sky, he said. That request had little chance of being approved, given that it would thrust American pilots into direct confrontation with the Russians, and Zelenskyy quickly pivoted to something to which Republicans and Democrats have been far more receptive: asking for more weapons to enable his people to keep up the fight themselves.Zelenskyy, whose background is in the entertainment industry, wrapped up his 18-minute speech with a graphic and wrenching video showing images of his war-torn country, including bombs exploding in cities around Ukraine, and civilians bloodied and killed by Russian attacks. “To be the leader of the world means to be the leader of peace,” he said, as members of Congress grew visibly emotional.As he addressed them directly, lawmakers sat rapt in their seats. Some scribbled notes, taking down quotations from his address, and many sniffled back tears.