WATCH: Congress gives Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy a standing ovation before his emotional address
- Congress gave Ukraine's president a standing ovation while he addressed lawmakers on Wednesday.
- Volodymyr Zelenskyy invoked key moments in US history, including 9/11 and Pearl Harbor, while discussing Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Members of Congress gave Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy a standing ovation before he addressed lawmakers in a highly anticipated speech on Wednesday.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi introduced Zelenskyy by invoking a slogan of solidarity with Ukraine: "Slava Ukraini!"
The Ukrainian president opened his speech by thanking lawmakers for the opportunity to address them, according to an interpreter's translation of his remarks, which were made in Ukrainian.
He also invoked key moments in US history to describe the seriousness and potential consequences of Russia's unprovoked invasion of Ukraine. Zelenskyy mentioned the September 11 terrorist attacks, the attack on Pearl Harbor, and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have A Dream" speech.
Zelenskyy also said Ukraine is "grateful" to the US for its "overwhelming support" and "for everything that your government and your people have done for us" since Russia invaded. He also thanked President Joe Biden for his "personal involvement" and "sincere commitment to the defense of Ukraine and democracy all over the world."
But he then pivoted to call on the US to "do more" to help Ukraine during "the darkest time for our country" and "for the whole of Europe."
Zelenskyy called for:
- New packages of sanctions "every week" against key Russian politicians and entities until President Vladimir Putin backs off of the invasion.
- Members of Congress to pressure companies in their districts who may be producing weapons that are aiding Russia's war against Ukraine.
- A new "U24" alliance, which he described as one that is "united for peace" and a group of countries "that have the strength and consciousness to stop conflict immediately" and provide assistance within 24 hours if needed.
- The creation of a no-fly zone over Ukraine, saying Russia has "turned the Ukrainian sky into a source of death."
"I need to protect our sky," Zelenskyy said, according to the translator. "I need your decision, your help, which means exactly the same as you feel when you hear the words, 'I have a dream.'"
"Is it a lot to ask for to create a no-fly zone over Ukraine to save people?" he asked later. "Is this too much? So that Russia would not be able to terrorize our free cities?"
The Ukrainian president also played an emotional video showing the devastation Russian forces have wrought on Ukrainian cities since Putin ordered the invasion on February 24.
Several members of Congress were seen wiping their eyes as the montage played. After its conclusion, Zelenskyy again appealed to lawmakers and the US government, saying in English, "What it takes to be the leader of the world, being the leader of the world, means to be the leader of peace."
However, NATO and the US have ruled out implementing a no-fly zone over Ukraine because doing so would require the alliance to shoot down Russian warplanes. That would effectively mean that NATO, which includes nuclear powers like the US, would be declaring war against Russia, which has one of the largest nuclear arsenals in the world.