Zelensky issues heartbreaking video of war in Ukraine to elicit help from USA
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky pleaded with the U.S. Congress to support a no-fly zone over Ukraine by releasing an emotional and graphic video.
In a virtual address to the U.S. Congress on Wednesday, Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called on the US to support a no-fly zone over Ukraine. He played a video entitled “Close the Sky”, which shows first images of happy families in different cities in Ukraine, before transitioning to horrific and graphic images of buildings being bombed, children crying, families being torn apart, and dead bodies being thrown into mass graves. Text on the screen reads, “This is a murder.”
Will the US implement a no-fly zone over Ukraine?
The US and NATO officials have declined requests to impose no-fly zones so far, but Zelenskyy insisted on pleading for US to support it as things continue to get worse in Ukraine. He also suggested that if the US won’t impose a no-fly zone, that they at least lend aircraft to help Ukraine defend itself against these attacks.
In his speech, Zelenskyy made comparisons to the attacks in the US on Pearl Harbor and September 11.
“Remember Pearl Harbor. The terrible morning of December 7 1941 when your skies were black from the planes attacking. You remember it,” he said. “September 11 - a terrible day in 2001 when evil tried to turn your cities, independent territories in battleground, when innocent people were attacked from air. Yes, just like nobody else expected it. You could not stop it.”
Zelenskyy ended his speech in English, addressing US President Joe Biden directly. “You are the leader of the nation. I wish you to be the leader of the world. Being the leader of the world means to be the leader of peace.”
The speech received a standing ovation and many US lawmakers praised Zelenskyy. However, none expressed that they would support a no-fly zone. More than that, several representatives stated that what's best is to give Ukraine the tools they need to defend themselves and be able to control the sky themselves.
A White House official said Biden is expected to release another $800 million of military aid. There will be an emergency NATO summit in Brussels next week and Biden will be in attendance.