What now after Zelensky’s speech?

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky issued an impassioned address to Congress about the grave state of his nation’s fight against Russia as the two sides escalated talks to end the war.

 

Zelensky, speaking exactly three weeks after Russia invaded Ukraine, took his plea to members of Congress on Wednesday in a bid for increased support for his country as Moscow continues its attacks, including on civilians (The Hill). The Ukrainian leader, who was greeted with a standing ovation, re-upped calls for a no-fly zone over his country, going so far as to invoke Pearl Harbor and 9/11 and to show graphic images of Ukraine’s dead (The Associated Press).

 

“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 said in the virtual address. “Russia has turned the Ukrainian sky into a source of death for thousands of people.”

 

In addition to a no-fly zone, which the U.S. and NATO allies have ruled out, Zelensky pressed for delivery of Soviet-era S-300 air defense systems to try to repel Russian air strikes.

 

President Biden responded soon after Zelensky’s speech by unveiling $800 million in additional U.S. military assistance, which includes anti-aircraft defenses, drones and other weaponry (The Hill). The funds are separate from the $13.6 billion in humanitarian and military aid approved by Congress last week.

 

The Hill: Biden on Wednesday assailed Russian President Vladimir Putin as a “war criminal.” The Associated Press explains who gets to decide if Biden’s verdict is correct.

 

Although the White House opposes a no-fly zone because of fears it could provoke Putin to dramatically escalate the war, some U.S. lawmakers remain open to the idea. Congress’s action is unclear.

 

“It remains my view that putting — if that means putting U.S. troops or pilots in Ukraine, I think the answer is no,” Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) said about a no-fly zone.

 

Zelensky, who has appealed to Canadians and Great Britain in similar recent presentations, pleaded with the United States to do more, and lawmakers in both parties say they are receptive to Ukraine’s plight.

 

“I think his remarks this morning created further impetus to do more. And so we’re trying to figure out what that more is,” said Sen. John Thune (S.D.), the No. 2 Senate Republican (NBC News).

 

The Hill: Zelensky challenges the conscience of Congress.

 

Dan Balz: Zelensky puts Biden on the spot with his emotional speech to Congress.

 

Niall Stanage: Five takeaways from Zelensky’s virtual address to Congress.

 

Federal News Service text of Zelensky’s speech.

 

Across the Atlantic, Russian forces continued their assault on Ukraine on Wednesday, including destruction of a theater-turned-shelter for hundreds of people, including children, in port city Mariupol, according to the Ukrainian foreign ministry. According to The Associated Press, hundreds are reportedly trapped in the destruction.

 

Negotiators for Russia and Ukraine on Wednesday suggested some progress, including discussion of a tentative 15-point peace plan that would involve a cease-fire and a withdrawal of Russian forces, contingent on Kyiv declaring neutrality, among other items (Financial Times). Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said that the neutrality stance is being “seriously discussed.” Zelensky reportedly said Moscow’s demands to end the war were becoming “more realistic” (The Associated Press). Those talks continue today.