"Addressing a joint session of the U.S. Congress in his first overseas trip since Russia invaded his country more than 300 days ago, Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky took aim at the burgeoning isolationist tendency in American politics, urging lawmakers to ramp up support for his embattled homeland out of self-interest rather than any charitable impulse.
Clad in his trademark dark green sweatshirt and cargo pants, Zelensky pressed Congress to continue to provide the overwhelming military and financial aid that began to flow when Russia invaded and has continued unabated since, arguing that Russian aggression would further destabilize the U.S.-led international order if left unchecked.
The wartime leader went on to point out that Russian president Vladimir Putin has benefitted from weaponry provided by a hostile Iranian regime that is also intent on disrupting U.S. leadership of the international order, making the case that other rogue states will draw inspiration from Putin’s regime if Russia proves successful in its violation of international law.
“Iranian deadly drones, sent Russia hundreds, began a threat to our critical infrastructure, that is how one terrorist has found the other. It is just a matter of time when they will strike against your other allies, if we do not stop them now – we must do it,” Zelensky said.
“Your money is not charity; it’s an investment in the global security and democracy that we handle in the most responsible way,” he added.". . .
