March 16, 2022 Russia-Ukraine news

CNN's Dana Bash said the goal of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's speech to US lawmakers and Americans "was to make it impossible for them not to help." 

Bash said that Zelensky deliberately referenced American heroes like Martin Luther King Jr., plus events like Pearl Harbor and the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, and then spoke in English directly addressing US President Joe Biden, after showing a video of attacks in Ukraine.

"Not only ... are those indelible in American history and in our psyche, what were they? They were attacks from the sky. ... And what he's trying to do is to bring it home," she said.

Zelensky has repeatedly called for a no-fly zone since Russia's invasion in Ukraine began.

Zelensky delivered similar video addresses to the parliaments of the UK and Canada.

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Ahead of Ukrainian President Volodomyr Zelensky's virtual address, most US lawmakers were seen wearing a pin with the US and Ukraine flag that were handed out by a Capitol Hill staffer.

The speech was attended by Democratic and Republican members of the US House and Senate.

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky received another standing ovation as he finished his remarks to bipartisan members of the US House and Senate. He also received a standing ovation before he spoke.

The historic speech given as a virtual address comes as the United States is under pressure from Ukraine to supply more military assistance to the embattled country as it fights back against Russia's deadly attack.

Zelensky also delivered similar addresses to the UK and Canadian parliaments.

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky directly addressed US President Joe Biden in his speech to Congress, calling on him to be "the leader of peace."

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In a powerful closing to his virtual address to the US Congress, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky switched from Ukrainian to English and said that being the leader of the world and the leader of peace means fighting for the life of people of the world and for their "right to die when your time comes."

Ukrainians are defending Ukraine and the values of Europe and the world, he added.

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky called on the United States to "do more" during what is "the darkest time" for his country.

Zelensky said the US should sanction all Russian politicians "who remain in their offices and do not cut ties with those who are against Ukraine."

"All American companies must leave Russia from their market, leave their market immediately, because it is flooded with our blood. Ladies and gentlemen, members of Congress, please take the lead, if you have companies in your districts who finance the Russian military machine leaving business in Russia, you should put pressure. I'm asking to make sure that the Russians do not receive a single penny that they use to destroy people in Ukraine," Zelensky said.

He also said there needs to be "new institutions, new alliances" to stop the war.

"We propose to create an association ... a union of responsible countries that have the strength and consciousness to stop conflicts immediately, provide all the necessary assistance in 24 hours, if necessary, even weapons, if necessary, sanctions, humanitarian support, political support, finances, everything you need to keep the peace and quickly save the world, to save lives," he said.

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Urainian President Volodymyr Zelensky renewed his call for a no-fly zone over Ukraine in his virtual address to the United States Congress Wednesday, but offered alternatives in case this request could not be fulfilled.

He urged that aircrafts that the US already has need to be in the Ukrainian skies, defending Ukraine as Russia's invasion of the country continues.

"Aircraft that can help Ukraine, help Europe, and, you know that they exist, and you have them. But they are on Earth, not in the Ukrainian sky. They do not defend our people," he added.

Invoking the famous Martin Luther King speech, he said:

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky made references to Mount Rushmore, the attacks on Pearl Harbor and the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 in his pitch to American lawmakers in Congress on Wednesday.

"I remember your national memorial in Rushmore, the faces of your prominent presidents, those who laid the foundation of the United States of America as it is today, democracy, independence, freedom and care for everyone, for every person, for everyone who works diligently, who lives honestly, who respects the law," he continued.

Zelensky also asked lawmakers to remember the attacks of Pearl Harbor in World War II and on the World Trade Center in 2001 in considering his request for help.

"Remember Pearl Harbor, the terrible morning of December 7, 1941, when your sky was black from the planes attacking you. Just remember it. Remember September 11th, a terrible day in 2001 when evil tried to turn your cities, independent territories, into battlefields. When innocent people were attacked, attacked from air," he said.

"Just like nobody else expected it, you could not stop it. Our country experienced the same every day."

Zelensky also invoked the famous words of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King in asking for military help: "I have a dream, these words are known to each of you today I can say. I have a need, I need to protect our sky. I need your decision, your help, which means exactly the same, the same you feel when you hear the words 'I have a dream.' "

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is showing a graphic video now showing fighting in his country and attacks by Russian forces as part of his address to US Congress.

Earlier in this remarks, Zelensky reiterated his calls for a no-fly zone over Ukraine and lauded the bravery of the Ukrainian people.

The video ended with a slate that said "close the sky over Ukraine."

During Zelensky’s video presentation, the pool could hear a pin drop in the room. A few members took videos with their phones. The audio on the video was low in the room. Not overpowering but soft and emotional. 

Ukrainian-American GOP Rep. Victoria Spartz did not sit but stood in the back of the room throughout the speech. During the video, she was very emotional. 

Late in the speech GOP Rep. Madison Cawthorn walked up next to the press pool and was seen watching the video.

Pool reporters inside the hall contributed reporting to this post.

Warning Graphic Video

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