'Ukraine is alive and kicking,' Zelenskyy tells US Congress

By Rabia Iclal Turan

WASHINGTON (AA) - Ukraine’s president addressed the US Congress on Wednesday, thanking it for providing his country with financial aid while noting that their money is “not charity” but "an investment.”

“Your money is not charity. It is an investment in the global security and democracy that we handle in the most responsible way,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy told the joint session.

“Thank you for both financial packages you have already provided us with and the ones you may be willing to decide on,” he said.

Earlier in the day, President Joe Biden held a joint press conference with Zelenskyy at the White House, during which he announced a $1.85 billion military aid package for Ukraine.

“Ukraine didn’t fall,” Zelenskyy stressed during his speech. “Ukraine is alive and kicking.”

Underlining once again that his country will not surrender, he told US lawmakers that their 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,” he said.

More cannons and shells are needed to make the Russian army completely pull out, Zelenskyy added.