Address by President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy to the US Congress, 21 December 2022

Dear Americans, in all states, cities, and communities, all those who value freedom and justice, who cherish it as strongly as we Ukrainians, in all our cities, in each and every family, I hope my words of respect and gratitutde resonate in each American heart. Madam, Vice President, I thank you for your efforts in helping Ukraine. Madam Speaker, you bravely visited Ukraine during the full-fledged war, thank you very much, great honour, thank you very much. My privilege to be here.

Dear members of the Congress, representatives of both parties, who also visited Kyiv, esteemed Congressmen and Senators from both parties who will visit Ukraine, I am sure in the future, dear representatives of the diaspora.

Present in the chamber and spread across the country, dear journalists. It is a great honour for me to be at the US Congress and speak to you and all Americans, against all odds and doom and gloom scenarios, Ukraine didn't fall. Ukraine is alive and kicking. And it gives me good reason to share with you, our first joined victory. We defeated Russia in the battle for minds of the world. We have no fear, nor should anyone in the world have it, Ukraine has gained this victory and it gives us courage which inspires the entire world. Americans, gained this victory, and that's why you have succeeded in uniting the global community to protect freedom and international law. Europeans, gained this victory, and that's why you're now stronger and more independent than ever. The Russian tyranny has lost control over us. And it will never influence our minds again. Yet, we have to do whatever it takes to ensure that countries of the Global South also gain such victory. I know one more very important thing, the Russians will stand a chance to be free when they defeat the Kremlin in their minds. Yet, the battle continues and we have to defeat the Kremlin on the battlefield. Yes, this battle is not only for the territory, the peace and other parts of Europe. The battle is not only for the life, freedom and security of Ukrainians, or any other nation which Russia attempts to conquer. This struggle will define in what world our children and grandchildren will live, and then their children and grandchildren. It will define whether it will be a democracy, of Ukrainians, and for Americans, for all. This battle cannot be frozen or postponed. It cannot be ignored, hoping that the ocean or something else will provide a protection. From the United States to China. From Europe to Latin America. And from Africa to Australia. The world is too interconnected and interdependent to allow someone to stay aside and at the same time to feel safe, when such a battle continues. Our two nations are allies in this battle. And next year, will be a turning point, I know it, the point when Ukrainian courage and American resolve must guarantee the future of our common freedom. The freedom of people to stand for their values.

Ladies and gentlemen, Americans. Yesterday before coming here to Washington D.C., I was at the frontline, in our Bakhmut. In our stronghold in the east of Ukraine in the Donbas. The Russian military and mercenaries have been attacking Bakhmut nonstop since May. They have been attacking it, day and night, but Bakhmut stands. Last year, 70000 people lived there in Bakhmut, in the city. And now only few cities lands stay. Every inch of that land is soaked in blood, roaring guns sound every hour. Trenches in the Donbas change hands several times a day, in fierce combat and even hand fighting, but the Ukrainian Donbas stands. Russians use everything they have against Bakhmut, and others of our beautiful cities. The occupiers have a significant advantage in artillery, they have an advantage in ammunition, they have much more missiles and planes than we ever had. Yes, it's true, but our defence forces stand. And we all are proud of them. The Russians' tactic is primitive, they burn down and destroy everything they see, they send thugs to the frontlines, they send convicts to the war. They threw everything against us similar to the other tyranny which was in the Battle of the Bulge. Threw everything it had against the free world, just like the brave American soldiers who held their lines and fought back Hitler's forces during the Christmas of 1944. Brave Ukrainian soldiers are doing the same to Putin's forces this Christmas. Ukraine holds its lines and will never surrender.

So, here in the frontlines, the tyranny, which has no lack of cruelty, against the lives of free people and your support is crucial not just to stand in such a fight but to get to the turning point to win on the battlefield. We have artillery, yes, thank you. We have it. Is it enough? Honestly, not really, to ensure Bakhmut is not just a stronghold that holds back the Russian Army, but for the Russian Army to completely pull out, more cannons and shells are needed. If so, just like the Battle of Saratoga, the fight for Bakhmut will change the trajectory of our war for independence and for freedom. If your patriots stop the Russian terror against our cities, it will let Ukrainian patriots work to the full to defend our freedom. When Russia cannot reach our cities with its artillery, it tries to destroy them with missile attacks. More than that, Russia found an ally in this genocidal policy: Iran. Iranian deadly drones sent to Russia in hundreds became 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.

I believe there should be no taboos in us and our alliance. Ukraine never asked the American soldiers to fight on our land instead of us. I assure you that Ukrainian soldiers can perfectly operate American tanks and planes themselves. Financial assistance is also greatly important, and I would like to thank you very much, thank you for both financial packages you have already provided us with, and the ones you may be willing to decide on. Your money is not charity. It is an investment in the global security and democracy that we handle in the most responsible way. Russia could stop its aggression, really, if it wanted to. But you can speed up our victory, I know it. And it will prove to any potential aggressor that no one can succeed in breaking national borders, no one committing atrocities and reigning over people against their will. It would be naïve to wait for steps towards peace from Russia, which enjoys being a terrorist state. Russians are still poisoned by the Kremlin. The restoration of international legal order is our joined task, we need peace, yes, Ukraine has already offered proposals which I just discussed with President Biden, our peace formula, Ten Points which should and must must be implemented for our joined security, guaranteed for a decade again, and the summit which can be held, I am glad to share that President Biden supported our peace initiative today, each of you ladies and gentlemen can assist in the implementation to ensure that Americans' leadership remains solid, bicameral and partisan. You can threaten sanctions to make Russia feel how ruinious its aggression truly is. It is in your power, really, to help us bring to justice everyone who started this unprovoked and criminal war. Let's do it. Let the terrorist state be held responsible for its terror and aggression, and compensate all losses done by this war, let the war see that the United States are here. Ladies and gentlemen, Americans, in two days, we will celebrate Christmas. Maybe candlelit, not because it's more romantic, no. But because there will be no electricity. Millions won't have neither heating nor running water. All of these will be the result of Russian missile and drone attacks on our energy infrastructure. But we do not complain. We do not judge and compare whose lives are easier, your well-being is the product of your national security. The result of your struggle for independence and your many victories, we Ukrainians will also go through our war of independence and freedom with dignity and success.

We'll celebrate Christmas. Celebrate Christmas, and even if there is no electricity, the light for our faith, in ourselves, will not be put out. If Russian missiles attack us, we'll do our best to protect ourselves. If they attack us with Iranian drones and our people will have to go to bomb shelters on Christmas Eve, Ukrainians will still sit down at the holiday table and cheer up each other. And we don't have know everyone's wish as we know all of us, millions of Ukrainians, wish the same: victory. Only victory. We already built a strong Ukraine, with strong people, strong army, strong institutions, together with you. We developed strong security guarantees for our country and for entire Europe and the world together with you, and also together with you we'll put in place everyone who will defy freedom. Put In. This will be the basis to protect democracy in Europe and the world over. Now, on the special Christmas time, I want to thank you, all of you, I thank every American family, which cherishes the warmth of its home, and wishes the same warmth to other people. I thank President Biden, and both parties at the Senate and the House for your invaluable assistance. I thank your cities and your citizens who supported Ukraine this year, who hosted our Ukrainians, our people, who waved our national flags, who acted to help us, thank you all from everyone who is now at the front line, from everyone who is evading, victory. Standing here today I recall the words of the President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, which are, I think so good for this moment: "The American people, in their righteous mind, will win through to absolute victory." The Ukrainian people, will win too, absolutely. I know, that everything depends on us, on Ukrainian Armed Forces, yet so much depends on the world, so much in the world depends on you. When I was in Bakhmut yesterday, our heroes gave me the flag, the battle flag, the flag of those who defend Ukraine, Europe, and the world, at the cost of their lives. They ask me to bring this flag to you, to the U.S. Congress, to members of the House of Representatives and Senate, whose decisions can save millions of people, so let these decisions be taken. Let this flag stay with you, ladies and gentlemen, this flag be the symbol of our victory in this war, we stand, we fight, and we will win, because we are united. Ukraine, America, and the entire free world.

Just, if I can, the last thing, thank you so much, may God protect our brave troops and citizens, may God forever bless the United States of America, Merry Christmas and Happy Victorious New Year. Slava Ukraini!