In an impassioned virtual address to U.S. members of Congress on Wednesday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky invoked Pearl Harbor and 9/11 as he implored the U.S. and its allies to “close the sky over Ukraine” after showing graphic images of the destruction and death wrought by Russia’s attack on his country.
The Ukrainian leader, who was met with a standing ovation by lawmakers in the room, used the speech to call for a humanitarian no-fly zone and called for the delivery of air defense systems to repel Russian air strikes, calling their actions “murder.”
“Right now, the destiny of our country is being decided, the destiny of our people, whether Ukrainians will be free, whether they will be able to preserve their democracy,” Zelensky told members of Congress, saying Russia has launched an assault on not only Ukrainian cities but also Ukrainian values and freedom.
“Russia has turned the Ukrainian sky into a source of death for thousands of people.”
Zelensky also expressed gratitude for the steps the U.S. has taken thus far, but made clear his belief that more is needed to punish Russia and assist Ukraine as it defends against the ongoing invasion. In particular, he called for sending warplanes to Ukraine to defend civilians.
“You have them, but they are on [land], not in the Ukrainian sky, they do not defend our people,” the Ukrainian president said.
“‘I have a dream,’ these words are known to each of you,” he added, invoking the civil rights hero Martin Luther King Jr. “Today, I can say I have a need, I need to protect our skies.”
After showing the devastation his country has endured following the Russian attack, Zelensky switched from Ukrainian to English and closed his remarks by addressing President Biden directly, urging him to “be the leader of peace.”
“I am addressing President Biden, you are the leader of the nation, your nation. I wish you to be the leader of the world. Being the leader of the world means to be the leader of peace,” Zelensky said, drawing a standing ovation.
Watch the full speech below: