Through the virtual address in Congress on Wednesday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky requested for more help in fighting off the Russian invasion. The theatre-styled auditorium was filled with policymakers squirming and chattering amongst their peers. A haunting quote that translated from Ukrainian echoes through the auditorium: “I call on you to do more.”
Seated by the Ukrainian flag, Zelensky requested for a no-fly zone to protect the skies of his country. This is least likely for the American government to approve because protecting the skies with the U.S. military can bring them to a potential battle against the Russian themselves. Zelensky also requested for weapons so the Ukrainians can uphold the fights against Russian soldiers. He said, “To be the leader of the world means to be the leader of peace.”
After listening to President Zelensky’s speech, President Joe Biden plans to approve $800 million in providing security assistance to Ukraine. Most of the weaponry requests entailed anti-aircraft batteries so Ukrainians can shoot down cargo planes and fighter jets from Russia. Last week, President Biden had already approved spending $200 million in military aid for Ukraine. In February, $350 million was approved to provide weapons to Ukraine. The United States would have spent $1.2 billion to support Ukraine in their fight against the Russians.
Back in Kyiv, Ukrainian soldiers were able to launch counter attacks against their Russian enemies. Using fighter jets and tanks, heavy smoke covered above the Kherson Airport where Russian aircraft resided. Oleksiy Arestovich, a presidential adviser to Zelensky, said, “our forces in several directions have engaged in small-scale tactical counteroffensives that improved the situation in concrete areas of defense.” The suburban towns of Bucha, Irpin and Vorzel were a couple of places where Ukrainian soldiers had targeted the Russian military. Russian missiles were shot down before reaching to Kyiv with explosions that woke the Ukrainian citizens still residing in the suburbs.
NATO defense ministers will be discussing about protecting the eastern borders of Europe as Russia is getting closer to other nations, potentially looping them into battle. European nations are pressing on the United States to get involved in military aid for Ukraine. The ministers and Ukrainian defense minister Oleksii Reznikov will focus on protecting the ground, air, and water in the eastern European countries.
Reznikov said, “We must invest more to protect peace and freedom and uphold our values.”
