A surprise visit, but above all historical. This Wednesday, Volodymyr Zelensky traveled to the United States, in what was his first trip outside the Ukrainian borders since the invasion of his country by Russian forces last February.
Kept secret until the last moment, the Ukrainian president’s trip was marked by several speeches in front of or with US political figures, including President Joe Biden. Each time, he reaffirmed the will of his people to continue fighting the Russian invader, even if the day ended with the mention of a “peace plan.”
• A landing on American soil scrutinized by the entire world
At around 6:40 p.m. French time, Volodymyr Zelensky stepped onto American soil, after having made the trip from Ukraine via Poland aboard an American plane.
“I am in Washington today to thank the American people, the President, and Congress for their indispensable support. And also to continue cooperation to bring our victory closer,” he wrote at the time on his Instagram account.
• Welcomed by Joe and Jill Biden to the White House
First highlight of the day: President Joe Biden and his wife Jill Biden receiving Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House. The three leads then posed, all smiles, in front of cameras from around the world.
The two heads of state then entered the building for a meeting in the Oval Office, which lasted about two hours.
The partially filmed interview allowed the Ukrainian president in particular to thank his American counterpart for supporting his people in the war effort. Symbolically, Volodymyr Zelensky presented Joe Biden with a soldier’s medal from Bakhmout, one of the most symbolic battlefields of the conflict.
“He said that thanks to his support, many of our brothers have been saved,” explained Volodymyr Zelensky, handing over the medal and a letter from this soldier to Joe Biden.
• A joint press conference under the sign of fraternity
During a press conference, also held at the White House, the President of the United States announced that he will strengthen military support for Ukraine so that it can continue to defend itself against the Russian invasion. “More than two million pieces of ammunition have been delivered.”
“You will never be alone,” he promised.
“We will stay with you as long as it takes. I look forward to signing a bill that will free up an additional $45 billion for Ukraine.”
In response, President Zelensky hailed the “very good news that he (will) return to Ukraine.”
“President Biden has announced a new $2 billion military aid package,” he said.
He continued: “The most important point is that the American Patriot missile system (which) will significantly strengthen our anti-aircraft defense. This is a very important step for the creation of a shield over ‘Ukraine’.”
• Nancy Pelosi summons the memory of Winston Churchill
Volodymyr Zelensky’s visit to the United States continued with a short speech with Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the House of Representatives, of the United States Congress.
In the introduction, the 82-year-old politician recalled the speech given there by British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, who visited him in 1941 during World War II.
Then he addressed his guest of the day: “We want to congratulate President Zelensky and his brave people.” He also said that the Russians should be “accountable” for their war crimes during this conflict, especially those against children and women.
• Standing applause at a Congress with blue and yellow notes
It was the most anticipated event of the day: Volodymyr Zelensky’s speech before a plenary session of the United States Congress. Upon his arrival, the Ukrainian president, dressed in his traditional khaki suit, was cheered for several minutes by almost all the elected officials, on their feet. Three elected officials even displayed a Ukrainian flag in the chamber.
In English and with the utmost solemnity, Volodymyr Zelensky made sure to remember that “contrary to the most dire predictions, Ukraine has not fallen. Ukraine is alive and fighting.”
“Russian tyranny no longer has control over us,” he repeated, cheered on several times during a vibrant twenty-minute speech, which concluded his first trip abroad since the invasion of Ukraine on February 24.
Beyond the lyricism, the Ukrainian president has tried to convince Congress, which will partly side with the Republicans in January, to continue its massive aid.
“I would like to thank you, thank you very much for the economic aid that you have given us and the ones that you could decide,” he said.
The only novelty in this speech, Volodymyr Zelensky, indicated that Joe Biden supported his ten-point “peace plan” and that a draft summit could soon see the light of day.
• The symbolic exchange of flags
The speech of the Ukrainian president ended with a strong image: he offered to elected members of the United States Congress a ukrainian flag of Bakhmout, a city in eastern Ukraine, currently the hottest spot on the front.
“When I was in Bakhmout yesterday, our heroes gave me the flag, their flag. The flag of those who defend Ukraine, Europe and the world at the cost of their lives,” he said, before handing over the blue and yellow. flag, covered with the signatures of the soldiers, to the speaker of the House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi, and the vice president Kamala Harris, president of the Senate.
In exchange, they presented Volodymyr Zelensky with an American flag that was flown atop the Capitol on Wednesday to mark his historic visit to the capital.
It was with this acclaimed exchange that the visit of the Head of State ended, since the speech at the Embassy of Ukraine in the United States was cancelled.
Source: BFM TV
