Local Government TV

Thursday, December 22, 2022

Zelenskyy: "Ukraine is Alive and Kicking"

Last night, we heard from the leader of the free world. It's not Joe Biden. It's not Donald Trump. It's Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The former comedian has become a statesman while our so-called leaders are the real clowns. 

In a rousing speech before the United States Congress, Zelenskyy had this response to 300 days of attacks from an autocrat aimed at toppling democracy: "Ukraine is alive and kicking!" Fighting back tears at times, he gave the United States a flag signed by soldiers fighting in besieged Bakhmut, where he had been just 24 hours earlier. He repeatedly thanked the United States, which has been generous. Below is a transcript of his remarks. 

He was festooned in his ubiquitous military green sweatshirt and cargo pants, the same clothing he's worn for the past 300 days as he's dodged Putin hit squads and bombs. Some idiots think he should have worn a tuxedo. His country is at war. When Winston Churchill appeared before Congress, he wore his air-raid outfit. 

Far-right (and some left-wing) lunatics have attacked the leader of the free world. Beyond his attire, they even accuse him of money laundering with no evidence. The only criminal conduct I see came from former President Donald Trump, who blackmailed Zelenskyy by holding up military aid unless he agreed to smear then candidate Joe Biden. Some of them think being that calling for 20 strong men to remove elderly school directors, or that smearing walls at the capitol with shit, is what makes them tough. No, standing up to constant bombardments of missiles fired by a bully from from hundreds of miles away is tough. Enduring the lack of heat in one of the world's coldest countries is tough. Prancing around armed and in military gear at a flag rally is not tough. If you want to know what tough is, look to Ukraine. If you want 20 strong men, look to Ukraine.    

Zelenskyy speech: 

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 diaspora – present in this chamber and spread throughout the country – dear journalists, it’s a great honor 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, first joint 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 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 Europe is 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 Congress of the global south also gains such victory.

I know one more, I think, very important thing. The Russians will stand a chance to be free only when they defeat the Kremlin, in their minds.

Yet, the battle continues, and we have to defeat the Kremlin on the battlefield, yes. These battles not only for the territory for this or in other part of Europe. The battle is not only for 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 who stand for their values.

Ladies and gentlemen, Americans, yesterday before coming here to Washington, DC, I was at the front line in our Bakhmut, in our stronghold in the east of Ukraine in the Donbas.

The Russian military and machiners have been taking Bakhmut nonstop since May. They have been attaking it day and night, but Bakhmut stands.

Last year, last year, 70,000 people lived there in Bakhmut, in this city, and now only a few civilians stay. Every inch of that land is soaked in blood. Roaring guns sound every hour. Trenches in the Donbas changed hands several times a day in fierce combat, and even hand-fighting. But the Ukrainian Donbas stands.

Russians, Russians use everything, everything they have against Bakhmut and other 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. And it’s true, but our defense forces stand.

And we, and we all are proud of them. The Russians’ tactic is primitive. They burn down and destroy everything they see. They sent thugs to the front lines, they sent convicts to the war. They threw everything against us, similar to the other tyranny, which is in the Battle of the Bulge. 

Threw everything it had against the free world, just like the brave American soldiers, which 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. [This is when my father was captured bring the Battle of the Bulge]. 

Ukraine, Ukraine holds its lines and will never surrender. So, so, here the front line, 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 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 it holds back the Russian army, but for the Russian army to completely pull out, more cannons and shells are needed.

It’s true. 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, when Russia cannot reach our cities by its artillery, it tries to destroy them with missile attacks. More than that, Russia found an ally in this, in this genocidal policy: Iran. Iranian deadly drones sent to Russia in hundreds and 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, I believe there should be no taboos between us in 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 critically important and I would like to thank you, 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’s an investment in the global security and democracy that we handle in the most responsible way.

Russia, 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 naive 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 joint task. We need peace, yes. Ukraine has already offered proposals which I just discussed with President Biden, our peace formula, 10 points which should and must be implemented for our joint security, guaranteed for decades ahead and the summit which can be held.

I’m 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 bipartisan. Thank you.

You can strengthen sanctions to make Russia feel how ruinous 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 terrorists – let the terrorist state be held responsible for its terror and aggression and compensate all losses done by this war. Let the world see that the United States are here.

Ladies and gentlemen, ladies and gentlemen, Americans, in two days we will celebrate Christmas. Maybe candlelit. Not because it’s more romantic, no, but because there will not be – 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 life is 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 of our faith in ourselves will not be put out. If Russian – 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, don’t have to know everyone’s wish as we know that all of us, millions of Ukrainians, wish the same: Victory. only victory.

We already built 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. Putin. This will be the basis to protect democracy in Europe and the world over.

Now, on this 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, 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 I think so good for this moment: “The American people, in their righteous might, will win through – to absolute victory.” The Ukrainian people will win too. Absolutely.

I know that everything depends on us, on the 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 US Congress to members of the House of Representatives and senators whose decisions can save millions of people. So, let this decisions be taken. Let this flag stay with you, ladies and gentlemen. This flag is a 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.

19 comments:


  1. The scut and the scum that were in attendance last night at Zelensky's speech should rot in hell. Mark Gaetz and Marjorie Taylor Greene refused to applaud anything Zelensky said nor did they rise for any part of the speech. These Trumpers are unfit for public service and I, like millions of other Americans, are totally embarrassed by their actions. When will this Country wise up, go to the polls, and rid our great nation of these scumbags. They are self centered, self serving, poor excuses for human beings. I am at a loss of words to truly describe these trumpers and now the Republicans are considering putting these two in leadership positions? God bless our Country.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Gaetz’s Firebrand pod is mandatory listening for any of the #TDS afflicted wokesters who seek to shed the mental shackles of a dangerous political ideology.

      They attempted to smear his good name by enlisting the services of a drug addicted Seminole tax collector who dabbled in pedophillia but failed to come up with anything other than innuendo.

      Same goes for Rudy G and Bannon the cannon all dynamite right wing podcasters who are being deplatformed aggressively by those who seek to diminish their vision of a better America.

      I’d love to Zelensky get judo tossed into the Dnipro by a shirtless Vlad after he dismounts a rippling stallion with Stephen Segal riding shotgun on said horse side saddle this would never happen because Volodymhr is a paper tiger

      Delete
  2. All a product of the delusional foreign policy that has created this war with the Ukrainians dying at an ever increasing rate, Europe about to descend into some post industrial survival economy and everyone on board cheering it all on.

    Russia will not be defeated short of Nuclear war, and NATO and Biden cannot quit now that they have staked the lives and future of the whole western world with this culmination of their nation building plan for the world.

    There is as prophecy which states that the Lord will draw the nations forward, as with hooks in their mouths to the their utter destruction. While this may not be that ultimate time, it appears to be such a time.

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  3. Russia will be defeated the same way England was defeated in the Revolutionary War or we were defeated in Vietnam. A superior foe is defeated when the will to fight is gone. Ordinary Russians have no reason to fight. Ukrainians do, just as we did and just as the Vietnamese did. And no, Russia is not going to go nuclear bc all the radioactivity is going to blow its way.

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  4. I am declining to host comments from the Lunch mob and MAGAs, spewing hate and conspiracy theories.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. 10:28am- Please post a couple of these posts, Bernie. Honestly, it helps me to better understand our enemy and what we're truly up against. Also, I find comfort knowing how deplorable some people truly are. Just pick out the most outlandish conspiracy theory and the most hate-filled one.

      The public has a right to know how our neighbors (and in some cases) relatives really believe.

      Delete
  5. What a great speech, and historic moment for those that cherish democracy and abhor fascism.

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  6. If you take away the hate and conspiracies, they have nothing left to say.

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  7. Join Wagner, see the world fight nazism, make bank and friends.

    Uhuru!

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  8. President Zalenskyy is a true patriot and someone to be admired. We see few like him in our Washington. I continue to pray for his country and for peace

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  9. I think this money could be much better used on other things. Americans are suffering and could use that money. Regardless of the war's winner, the plight of our needy will be unchanged. It's fair to ask why we should do this.

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  10. Regarding those who feel this money should be used to help Americans in need. Two things: 1. The vast majority of the aid that is being provided is in the form of drawdown of existing stockpiles of equipment and ammunition. So, it is not actually money that could be spent on other things. 2. To the extent that actual money is being spent, there is plenty of other money that could be used to help Americans that is not being spent to stop an unjust war of extermination.

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    Replies
    1. Most Americans are spoiled, myself included, not having much but a beautiful family and a job I like and appreciate. And that in itself is more than enough! Meanwhile a lot of Americans took their 'stimulus' checks to Walmart and purchased flat screen T.V.'s. Yes our inflation is hurting most of us and yes our border is beyond out of control and it needs to be worked on, but we do not have it near as bad as Ukraine right now.

      Delete
  11. I don’t see what’s so bad about denigrating Russia’s army and supplies without costing one American life.

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  12. @12:44 - Maybe if tax deadbeats like tRump paid their taxes like the rest of us, things might not be that bad?

    Also, I'd like to see the Putin puppet Tucker duke it out with Zelensky, one on one, pay per view... You either stand with Ukraine or side with Putin, our #1 enemy!

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  13. Too bad congress cannot get together on one of the many issues facing our country.

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  14. 2:41 we're $31 trillion in debt. Your comments are beyond ridiculous. Please donate to a US veterans charity and ask for forgiveness for your unfeeling naivete.

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  15. I'm curious about why nobody seems worried about a weakened Russia in a hot war, resorting to their nuclear weapons. If Russia is as bad as many think, why don't they think nukes will eventually be used? Is anyone planning ceasefire or peace talks to stop this before a nuke is used? Is Jimmy Carter or some other credible envoy available? We're discussing $100 billion dollars and the threat of nukes, and nobody is discussing ANY alternative. I guess the threats aren't really important enough to attempt to avoid. Baffling.

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  16. William F. Buckley Jr. said that wars are necessary because they solve things. Many hated that position. Now, it's being embraced by most of Washington. No peace talks will solve what a war does, apparently. Buckley was right. Peace isn't an option on anyone's agenda.

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You own views are appreciated, especially if they differ from mine. But remember, commenting is a privilege, not a right. I will delete personal attacks or off-topic remarks at my discretion. Comments that play into the tribalism that has consumed this nation will be declined. So will comments alleging voter fraud unless backed up by concrete evidence. If you attack someone personally, I expect you to identify yourself. I will delete criticisms of my comment policy, vulgarities, cut-and-paste jobs from other sources and any suggestion of violence towards anyone. I will also delete sweeping generalizations about mainstream parties or ideologies, i.e. identity politics. My decisions on these matters are made on a case by case basis, and may be affected by my mood that day, my access to the blog at the time the comment was made or other information that isn’t readily apparent.