During his visit to the USA on Dec. 11, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky spoke at the National Defense University in Washington, DC. In particular, he noted that Ukraine was adamant in defending its land.
His speech was broadcast by the Office of the President
Keywords from the President's speech in the USA:
- Volodymyr Zelensky emphasized that Ukrainians will not step back in defense of their land and democratic values of the world.
- He also thanked the United States for their support, recalling the super important weapons for the Ukrainian army: "Bradley, HIMARS, 155 mm caliber artillery, ATACMS, Patriots, F-16s."
“The whole world is watching us. … Ukraine hasn’t given up and won't give up. We know what to do, and you can count on Ukraine. And we hope, just as much to be able to count on you," he said.
“His [Putin’s] weapon against you right now is propaganda and disinformation. But if he sees a chance, he'll go further,” he said. “Now he's shifting Russia's economy and society onto what he calls ‘war tracks.’"
"Ukraine is just one step for Russia. They used to act like that old empire that died in 1989 and challenge freedom wherever the Russian czar wants. Putin must lose. He must lose so that everyone else who treats Russia's war against Ukraine as his personal 'lecture' at the so-called 'university of aggression' gets the message loud and clear: Putin must lose," the president emphasized.
He noted that the Russian Federation is trying to get much more than the land, resources or population of Ukraine, because it sees the country as a bridgehead. At the same time, unresolved issues in the United States only inspire Putin, he said.
"It is only Putin and his sick entourage that can be inspired by unresolved issues on Capitol Hill. When they see delays and scandals their dreams become reality. People like Putin should not even hope to overcome freedom," Zelensky reported.
"When the free world hesitates - dictatorships celebrate," - the Head of the Ukrainian State noted.
Separately, he said that Ukrainians are paying a high price on the battlefield because of delays in Western aid.
"Each of you here understands what it means for a soldier to wait for ammunition for weeks, not knowing whether the support will come at all. Every one of you who has command experience knows what it means when, instead of moving forward, you just watch, waiting for armor or equipment while your enemy is content and preparing to attack. Any of you who have a son or daughter in a war zone would just not understand if they were told that the defense of life can wait because some discussions are still going on," he added.