President Joe Biden announced on Wednesday that another $800 million in military aid will be approved for Ukraine; this after President Volodymyr Zelensky made an appeal for assistance before a joint session of Congress. Biden said the military support will include 800 anti-aircraft systems, 9,000 anti-armor systems, 7,000 small arms, drones and other equipment. Biden said in an address from the White House: ‘This could be a long and difficult battle. But the American people will be steadfast in our support of the people of Ukraine in the face of [Russian President Vladimir] Putin’s immoral, unethical attacks on civilian populations. We are united in our abhorrence of Putin’s depraved onslaught. And we’re going to continue to have their backs as they fight for their freedom, their democracy, their very survival.”
Biden’s announcement came just hours after Zelensky urged lawmakers to do more to help Ukraine. Presenting a video that showed graphic footage on the ground in Ukraine, Zelensky said: “Russia has turned the Ukrainian sky into a source of death for thousands of people. To create a no-fly zone over Ukraine, to save people, is this too much to ask? Humanitarian, no-fly zone, something that Russia would not be able to terrorize our free cities. If this is too much to ask, we offer an alternative. You know what kind of defense systems we need, such as 300 and similar other systems. You know how much depends on the battlefield, on the ability to use aircraft. Powerful, strong aviation to protect our people.”
In his address, Zelensky directly asked Biden:“I wish you to be the leader of the world. Being the leader of the world means to be the leader of peace.” His appeals came as negotiators resumed peace talks on Wednesday, where Zelensky said that discussions are coming along slowly and that they’re beginning to “sound more realistic.”
Editorial credit: BiksuTong / Shutterstock.com