Amid Russian Invasion... Ukrainian President to Deliver Virtual Speech to US Congress on 16th

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy New York=Special Correspondent Joselgina] As Russia's invasion of Ukraine enters its third week, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is set to deliver a speech to the U.S. Congress on the 16th (local time).

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer announced in a letter sent to lawmakers on the 14th that President Zelensky will address members of the Senate and House via video conference at 9 a.m. Eastern Time on the 16th.

Speaker Pelosi and Leader Schumer stated, "The world holds in awe the Ukrainian people who have shown remarkable courage and determination in the face of Russia's unjust, brutal, and illegal war," adding, "Inviting all members of the House and Senate to this speech is a sign of respect and admiration for the Ukrainian people."

They also emphasized, "Our (U.S. Congress) commitment to supporting Ukraine amid the cruel and horrific attacks, passing legislation to cripple and isolate the Russian economy, and providing humanitarian, security, and economic aid remains unwavering." On the 11th, the U.S. Congress passed the 2022 budget bill, which includes $13.6 billion in military and humanitarian aid for Ukraine and neighboring countries.

Buildings in Kharkiv, Ukraine Destroyed by Russian Airstrikes
[Image Source=Yonhap News]

Notably, this speech comes as Russia has expanded missile attacks to NATO borders, including Poland, drawing significant attention.

This will be the first time President Zelensky addresses the U.S. Congress since Russia invaded Ukraine. Earlier, on the 5th, he held a video meeting with U.S. lawmakers, expressing gratitude for Western support, including from the U.S., and requested additional military aid and sanctions against Russia. Subsequently, on the 8th, he delivered a speech via video to the British House of Commons.

It is reported that President Zelensky spoke with U.S. President Joe Biden the previous day, requesting further sanctions against Russia.

Meanwhile, the fourth round of negotiations between Russia and Ukraine, which began that morning, lasted about two hours before going into a temporary recess.

The Russian Ministry of Defense announced that the southern Ukrainian port city of Melitopol in Zaporizhzhia Oblast and Kherson, the capital of Kherson Oblast, are now completely under Russian military control. They also reported destroying military bases around Mariupol, a city on the Azov Sea coast, which has been isolated for 14 days due to Russian encirclement. According to the Ukrainian government, the death toll in the Mariupol area exceeds 2,500, including pregnant women and children, following a Russian military attack on a maternity hospital.