'We are together - Ukraine, the USA and the whole world': full text of Zelensky's speech to Congress

On December 21, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky arrived on a visit to the United States. He met with US President Joe Biden and also addressed both houses of the US Congress. Translation of his direct speech provided official website of the President of Ukraine.

Photo from official website of the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky

Dear Americans!

All states, cities and communities. All who value freedom and justice. Appreciates the same as Ukrainians - in all our cities, in every family. May my words of respect and gratitude be heard by every American heart today.

Madam Vice President, I thank you for your efforts in helping Ukraine.

Madam speaker, you boldly visited Ukraine during a full-scale war. Thank you.

It is a great honor and privilege to be here.

Dear members of Congress - from both parties - who were also in Kyiv. Dear members of Congress - from both parties - who will still visit Ukraine, I am sure of this, in the future. Dear representatives of our diaspora, who are present here and present throughout the country. Dear journalists. I am honored to be in the United States Congress and address you and all Americans.

Despite all the obstacles and gloomy scenarios, Ukraine did not fall. Ukraine is alive and fighting.

And this gives me good reason to share with you our first common victory - we defeated Russia in the battle for worldview. We are not afraid. And no one in the world should be afraid.

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The Ukrainians won, and this gives us courage that the whole world admires. The Americans won, you managed to unite the global community for the sake of freedom and international law. The Europeans won - that's why Europe is now stronger and more independent than ever in its history. Russian tyranny has lost control of us and will never again influence our thoughts.

But we must do everything to ensure that the countries of the global South also achieve such a victory. I know that the Russians, too, can have a chance for freedom only when they defeat the Kremlin in their thoughts.

But the battle continues. And we must defeat the Kremlin on the battlefield.

This battle is not only for the land, for this or that part of Europe. This is a battle not only for the life, freedom and security of Ukrainians or any other people that Russia seeks to conquer. This is a battle for what kind of world our children and grandchildren will live in. It will determine whether it will be a democracy for Ukrainians and for Americans, for everyone.

This battle cannot be frozen or postponed. It cannot be ignored, hoping that the ocean or something else will protect you. From the United States to China, from Europe to Latin America, from Africa to Australia, the world is too interconnected, too interconnected, for any one person to be left out somewhere and at the same time safe when such a battle continues.

Our two nations are allies in this battle. And the next year is a crucial time in it. A time when Ukrainian courage and American determination must guarantee the future of our freedom. The freedom of people standing up for their values.

Photo from official website of the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky

Ladies and Gentlemen! Americans!

Yesterday, before leaving here in Washington, DC, I was on the front lines in our Bakhmut. In our fortress in eastern Ukraine, which the Russian military and mercenaries have been storming continuously since May. They attack every day and night. But Bakhmut stands.

Last year, 70 people lived there. Now there are only a few civilians left. There is no place that is not covered in blood. There is not an hour when the terrible roar of artillery does not sound. There, one trench can change hands several times a day after bloody battles, sometimes hand-to-hand. But the Ukrainian Donbas is worth it.

The Russian army is using everything it can against Bakhmut and our other beautiful cities. The advantage of the occupiers in artillery is very noticeable. They have many times more shells than we do. They use many times more missiles and aircraft than we have ever had. But our defense forces are standing. And we are all proud of them.

Russian tactics are primitive. They burn everything in front of them. They drove the thugs to the front. They send "convicts" to war. They threw everything against us, just as another tyranny threw everything against the free world in the battle of the Bulge. Just as brave American soldiers resisted and fought off Hitler's troops during Christmas 1944, brave Ukrainian soldiers are doing the same to Putin's troops this Christmas. Ukraine stands and will never give up.

This is the front line: a tyranny that knows no shortage of cruelty against the lives of free people.

We need your help not only to stand in such battles, but to turn the tide of the war. To win on the battlefield.

We have artillery. Yes. Thank you. Is it enough? Frankly, no. In order for Bakhmut to be not only a fortress that repels the attacks of the Russian army, but for the Russian army to completely retreat, more guns and shells are needed. In this case, as in the battle of Saratoga, the struggle for Bakhmut will change the course of our war for independence and freedom.

If your “Patriots” (Patrion anti-aircraft missile systems) stop Russian terror against our cities, this will allow Ukrainian patriots to fully work in defense of our freedom.

If Russia does not reach our cities with artillery, it tries to destroy them with missiles. Moreover, Russia has found an accomplice in this genocidal policy. This is Iran. Iranian drones coming to Russia by the hundreds have become a threat to our critical infrastructure. So one terrorist finds another. And it's only a matter of time before they hit your other allies if we don't stop them now. We must do it.

I believe that there should be no taboo between us in an alliance. Ukraine has never asked and is not asking for American soldiers to fight on our soil instead of us. I assure you that Ukrainian soldiers can control American tanks and planes themselves.

Financial assistance is also critical. And I would like to thank you both for the financial packages that you have already provided to us, and for those that you may decide on. Your money is not charity. This is an investment in global security and democracy, which we take very seriously.

Russia can stop this aggression if it wants to. But you can hasten our victory, I know it. And it will prove to any potential aggressor that no one will be able to violate the borders of another people, commit atrocities and reign over people against their will.

It is naive to expect steps towards peace from Russia, which likes to be a terrorist state. The Russians are still poisoned by the Kremlin.

Restoring the international legal order is our common task. We need peace. Ukraine has already submitted relevant proposals, and I discussed them with US President Joe Biden - our formula for peace. Ten points that can and should be implemented for the sake of our common security, guaranteed for a decade ahead. And a summit that can be held -- I'm happy to note today that President Biden supported this initiative. Each of you, ladies and gentlemen, can contribute to its realization. To keep US leadership unchallenged, bicameral and bipartisan.

You can escalate sanctions in ways that make Russia feel how destructive its aggression is. It is in your power to help us bring to justice all those who unleashed this unprovoked and illegal war. Let's do it! Let the terrorist state be responsible for terror and aggression and make up for all the losses caused by the war.

Let the world see that the United States is here!

Photo from official website of the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky

Ladies and Gentlemen! Americans!

In two days we will celebrate Christmas. Maybe by candlelight. Not because it's so romantic. Because there will be no light. Millions will have neither heating nor water. All this will be the result of Russian missile and unmanned strikes on our energy infrastructure. But we don't complain.

We do not look at who is easier. Your prosperity is the result of your national security, the result of your struggle for independence and your many victories.

We, Ukrainians, will also go through our war for independence and freedom with dignity and success.

We will celebrate Christmas. And even if there is no electricity, the light of our faith in ourselves will not go out.

If there are Russian missiles, we will do everything we can to defend ourselves. If there are Iranian drones, and our people have to go to the bomb shelter on the evening before Christmas, the Ukrainians will sit down at the festive table there and support each other. And we do not need to know the desire of everyone, because we know that all of us, millions of Ukrainians, strive for one thing - victory. Only victory.

We have already built a strong Ukraine - with strong people, a strong army, strong institutions. Together with you!

We are developing strong security guarantees for our state, all of Europe and the world. Together with you!

And together with you we will put in place each of those who challenged freedom. This will be the basis for the defense of democracy in Europe and the world.

Now, before Christmas, on these special days, I want to thank you all.

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I thank every American family that appreciates the warmth of their home and wishes the same warmth to other people. I thank President Biden and both parties in Congress for their invaluable assistance. I thank your cities and citizens who supported Ukraine this year, who received our people, who hung our flags, who helped us.

Thank you! From everyone who is now at the front. From everyone who is waiting for victory.

And right now it is appropriate to recall the words of the great US President Franklin Roosevelt: "The American people use all their righteous power in the name of achieving complete victory." The Ukrainian people will also win. Exactly. I know that everything depends on us. From the Armed Forces of Ukraine. But so much depends on the world. How much in the world depends on you.

When I was in Bakhmut yesterday, our heroes handed over the flag to me. Battle banner. The banner of those who defend Ukraine, Europe and the world at the cost of their lives.

They asked me to deliver this flag to you - the United States Congress, members of the House of Representatives and senators, whose decisions could save millions of people.

Let these decisions be made. Let this banner be with you. This banner symbolizes that we will win this war. We stand, we fight and we win. Because we are together - Ukraine, the USA and the entire free world.

And the last. May God keep our courageous troops and citizens. May God bless great America forever. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Glory to Ukraine!

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