Russia attacks Ukraine: Biden speaks after Zelenskyy addresses Congress
ByNatalie Dreier, Cox Media Group National Content Desk
ByNatalie Dreier, Cox Media Group National Content Desk
Hours after Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy addressed U.S. lawmakers, President Joe Biden is delivering remarks and is expected to offer an additional $800 million in security aid to the war-torn country.
Update 1:12 p.m. EDT March 16: Bidensigned the aid bill sending $800 million in aid to Ukraine. He also confirmed that our country is sending Ukraine more anti-aircraft weapons, anti-armor weapons and drones, The Associated Press reported.
“We’re going to give Ukraine the arms to fight and defend themselves through all the difficult days ahead,” Biden said, according to the AP.
Update 1:05 p.m. EDT March 16: Biden started his speech laying out a list of how the U.S. has supported Ukraine before the invasion began and since Feb. 24.
He has pledged to give the Ukrainian people the arms they need to fight against Russia and Russian President Vladimir Putin, who, according to Biden, is “inflicting appalling, appalling devastation on Ukraine,” CNN reported.
Update 1:04 p.m. EDT March 16: The president has started speaking. He said in reference to Zelenskyy’s speech that it was a “passionate message” to Congress.
“I listened to it in the private residence. He was convincing and it was a significant speech. He speaks for a people who have shown remarkable courage and strength in the face of brutal aggression. Courage and strength that’s inspired not only Ukrainians but the entire world,” Biden said, according to CNN.
Original report:CNN reported that the military assistance will include anti-tank missiles and more weapons such as Javelin anti-tank and Stinger anti-aircraft missiles.
In the past week alone, the U.S. government has pledged $1 billion in aid, including $800 million expected Wednesday, USA Today reported.
Biden is not expected to offer the no-fly zone or fighter jets that Zelenskyy has repeatedly asked for, CNN reported.
Zelensky said that both the aircraft and a no-fly zone are needed for his country to survive.
Additional U.S. military forces are apparently not on the table for immediate deployment. The U.S. deployed about 15,000 troops to Europe since the invasion started last month, The Wall Street Journal reported. Biden is considering adding more troops, but not in the immediate future.
At the end of his speech to Congress Wednesday morning, Zelenskyy spoke to Biden directly using English, saying, “President Biden, you are the leader of your great nation. I wish you to be the leader of the world. Being the leader of the world means to be the leader of peace,” USA Today reported.
Zelenskyy addresses Congress In this image from video provided by the House Television, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy speaks from Kyiv, Ukraine, as he addresses virtually addresses Congress on Wednesday, March 16, 2022. (House Television via AP) (AP)
Zelenskyy addresses Congress Ukrainian Ambassador to the U.S. Oksana Markarova speaks with Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., as they arrive to hear Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy speak to the U.S. Congress by video at the Capitol in Washington. (Drew Angerer, Pool via AP) (Drew Angerer/AP)
Zelenskyy addresses Congress Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Ky., center, and others arrive to hear Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy speak to the U.S. Congress by video at the Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, March 16, 2022. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, Pool) (J. Scott Applewhite/AP)
Zelenskyy addresses Congress Ukrainian Ambassador to the U.S. Oksana Markarova speaks with Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Ky., and others, as they arrive to hear Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy speak to the U.S. Congress by video at the Capitol in Washington. (Drew Angerer, Pool via AP) (Drew Angerer/AP)
Zelenskyy addresses Congress House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of Calif., walks with Ukraine's Ambassador to the United States Oksana Markarova, left, after watching the video address by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to the U.S. Congress at the Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, March 16, 2022. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta) (Manuel Balce Ceneta/AP)
Zelenskyy addresses Congress Members of Congress applaud as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy delivers a virtual address to Congress by video at the Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, March 16, 2022. (Sarah Silbiger, Pool via AP) (SARAH SILBIGER/AP)
Zelenskyy addresses Congress Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer of N.Y., left, talks with Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Ky., as they arrive to hear Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy speak to the U.S. Congress by video at the Capitol in Washington. (Sarah Silbiger, Pool via AP) (SARAH SILBIGER/AP)
Zelenskyy addresses Congress Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy speaks to the U.S. Congress by video to plead for support as his country is besieged by Russian forces, at the Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, March 16, 2022. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, Pool) (J. Scott Applewhite/AP)
Zelenskyy addresses Congress Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy delivers a virtual address to Congress by video at the Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, March 16, 2022. (Sarah Silbiger, Pool via AP) (SARAH SILBIGER/AP)
Zelenskyy addresses Congress Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy delivers a virtual address to Congress by video at the Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, March 16, 2022. (Drew Angerer, Pool via AP) (Drew Angerer/AP)
Zelenskyy addresses Congress Ukrainian Ambassador to the U.S., Oksana Markarova, second right, talks with Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., left, and others, prior to Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy delivering a video address to members of Congress gathered, Wednesday, March 16, 2022 at the Capitol in Washington (Sarahbeth Maney/The New York Times via AP, Pool) (Sarahbeth Maney/AP)
Zelenskyy addresses Congress Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy delivers a virtual address to Congress by video at the Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, March 16, 2022. (Sarah Silbiger, Pool via AP) (Sarah Silbiger/AP)
Zelenskyy addresses Congress Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi of Calif., speaks with Ukrainian Ambassador to the U.S. Oksana Markarova as they arrive to hear Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy speak to the U.S. Congress by video at the Capitol in Washington. (Sarah Silbiger, Pool via AP) (SARAH SILBIGER/AP)
Zelenskyy addresses Congress Dmytro Kovalenko, manager of Ukrainian restaurant Streecha, in New York, watches Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy deliver a virtual address to the U.S. Congress, Wednesday, March 16, 2022. (AP Photo/Richard Drew) (Richard Drew/AP)
