Zelensky asks Americans to remember Pearl Harbour and 9/11
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has addressed the US Congress virtually after being invited by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer. He received a standing ovation when he appeared on the screen before lawmakers.
During his remarks, he called on the US to remember Pearl Harbour and the September 11 terrorist attacks as it sees the people of Ukraine attacked and killed by Russian forces.
The Ukrainian president told lawmakers in his wartime address to Congress on Wednesday that Ukraine “experiences the same every day” now as America did during its own darkest days.
Mr Zelensky also asked Congress for Soviet-made air defence systems and fighter jets as an alternative to a Nato-enforced humanitarian no-fly zone over his country’s airspace.
US and Nato officials have so far declined his pleas for a no-fly zone over Ukraine to avoid allied planes being at risk of direct engagement with Russian aircraft, raising the possibility of a nuclear confrontation.
President Joe Biden has responded to Mr Zelensky’s remarks by announcing $800m (£612m) of new aid, bringing the total aid sent to Ukraine in the last week alone to $1bn.
This new support includes 800 anti-aircraft systems; 9,000 anti-armor systems; 7,000 machine guns, shotguns and grenade launchers with 20 million rounds of ammunition; and 100 drones.
Later Mr Biden referred to Mr Putin as a “war criminal” for the first time. White House press secretary Jen Psaki said he was “speaking from the heart”.
GOP House leaders urge Biden to send jets to Ukraine to implement no-fly zone
Republican House leadership has urged President Joe Biden to commit to sending Ukraine fighter jets to combat Russian’s assault, which House Minority Whip Steve Scalise called “nothing less than genocide”.
Following Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky’s address to members of Congress on 16 March, Republican House leader Kevin McCarthy said the US must approve MiG jets for Ukraine so officials there can create their own no-fly zone, while swiping at President Biden for what GOP leadership characterised as life-threatening delays.
“I think right now providing them the MiGs that they can create a no-fly zone,” he told reporters following Mr Zelensky’s address.
Oliver O’Connell17 March 2022 00:30
‘Our country experiences the same every day’
President Volodymyr Zelensky has called on Americans to remember Pearl Harbor and the September 11 terrorist attacks as they watch the people of Ukraine being attacked and killed by Russian forces.
The Ukrainian president told lawmakers in a passionate wartime address to the US Congress on Wednesday that Ukraine “experiences the same every day” now as America did during its own darkest days.
Oliver O’Connell16 March 2022 23:45
Zelensky shows Congress heartbreaking video of Ukraine destruction
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky pleaded for the US Congress to support a Nato-enforced humanitarian no-fly zone over his country by playing a heartbreaking video with scenes of his country under attack by Russia.
The video entitled “Close the Sky” was broadcasted during Mr Zelensky’s remarks to a special joint session of the House and Senate on Wednesday.
Oliver O’Connell16 March 2022 23:00
Voices: Zelensky’s address to Congress was direct and disturbing
The Ukrainian president spoke of September 11th and Pearl Harbor, and reminded watching members of Congress of MLK’s ‘I have a dream’ speech before airing a highly distressing video of the situation inside Ukraine.
Oliver O’Connell16 March 2022 22:15
US ‘looking very hard’ at whether Russia ‘deliberately’ targeting journalists
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has said the US is “looking very hard” at whether Russia is “deliberately” targeting journalists covering the war in Ukraine, after at least three have been killed and several more injured by Kremlin forces in the last few days alone.
Mr Blinken told NPR in an interview that aired on Wednesday that US officials are “documenting” Russia’s attacks and that, if they determine Vladimir Putin’s troops are intentionally targeting journalists, this will be treated as a “war crime”.
“We are looking very hard at the targeting that the Russian forces are doing, including whether they are deliberately, intentionally targeting civilians, journalists or anyone else,” he said.
Oliver O’Connell16 March 2022 21:30
Zelensky urgently appeals for no-fly zone
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky delivered a stirring speech to the US Congress, pleading directly to President Joe Biden for additional military assistance as the war-torn nation battles Russia’s bloody offensive.
Oliver O’Connell16 March 2022 21:10
Biden sees rare support from GOP after Zelensky speech
The Republican establishment in Washington is warming to President Joe Biden’s response to Russia’s invasion, while some on the far right question whether to support Ukraine at all.
After Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky addressed the US Congress on Wednesday in a historic virtual speech from his secure location in Kyiv, GOP lawmakers had little criticism for the embattled leader’s US counterpart – a rare respite from the hardline opposition Republican leaders have shown the White House for months.
John Bowden has the latest from Washington, DC.
Oliver O’Connell16 March 2022 21:00
GOP can’t resist using Zelensky speech to attack Biden
News analysis: Top House Republicans went from a bipartisan standing ovation for Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky to bashing President Biden in a matter of minutes, writes Andrew Feinberg.
Oliver O’Connell16 March 2022 20:50
‘Our country experiences the same every day’
President Volodymyr Zelensky has called on Americans to remember Pearl Harbor and the September 11 terrorist attacks as they watch the people of Ukraine being attacked and killed by Russian forces.
The Ukrainian president told lawmakers in a passionate wartime address to the US Congress on Wednesday that Ukraine “experiences the same every day” now as America did during its own darkest days.
Oliver O’Connell16 March 2022 20:40
Zelensky shows Congress heartbreaking video of Ukraine destruction
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky pleaded for the US Congress to support a Nato-enforced humanitarian no-fly zone over his country by playing a heartbreaking video with scenes of his country under attack by Russia.
The video entitled “Close the Sky” was broadcasted during Mr Zelensky’s remarks to a special joint session of the House and Senate on Wednesday.
Megan Sheets and Rachel Sharp report.
Oliver O’Connell16 March 2022 20:30