Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky came to Washington Wednesday on a daring undercover journey, a brave man seeking vital aid for his small, embattled country.
Appearing before Congress, Zelensky sounded like the true leader of the free world. His speech was packed with historical references to Franklin Delano Roosevelt, the Battle of the Bulge, the Battle of Saratoga.
While Valley Forge might have resonated more, Zelensky received numerous standing ovations in his appeal for continued support for his nation's resistance against Russian despot Vladimir Putin's stalled Russian army and its mounting attacks devastating Ukraine's infrastructure.
His broken English giving his words musical eloquence, the former actor and comedian thrilled the audience, delivering a memorable speech that cast the war in Ukraine as the crucial turning point in a global battle between freedom and autocracy.
He also spoke with pride and sorrow of the courage of the Ukrainian people, many without lights, heat and running water. Marveling how his fellow citizens forge on with their daily lives without despair, he asserted that "Ukraine is alive and kicking" and would not surrender.
Yet, on the winter solstice, the 300th day of Putin's effort to erase Ukraine as an independent nation, the Ukrainian plight grows worse, despite recent gains by Ukrainian forces. Russia's overwhelming artillery power, augmented by Iranian drones, will push Ukraine to the breaking point.
Without even more aid than President Biden committed to Zelensky- a solitary Patriot missile battery and a smattering of more weapons - Ukraine is unlikely to defeat Putin's army, bolstered by mercenaries and convicts forced to the battle lines.
Military advisers see at best a long stalemate, if present conditions continue. The Russian leader Wednesday vowed to accelerate the war, launching a new offensive.
Biden, drawing strange laughter at a White House news conference when acknowledging Zelensky's desire for a decisive delivery of weapons, said he wouldn't make a stronger commitment because of NATO fears of Putin escalating the war. He has threatened the use of nuclear devices. .
New Yorker writer Masha Gessen in analyzing Zelensky's speech pointed out that if Zelensky had received more aid earlier, Putin might have already been defeated. Her piece made a convincing case for the United States boosting its aid, no matter the level of NATO opposition.
In his speech, Zelensky made a point to emphasize that he's not calling for American troops to aid Ukraine. He said Ukrainian soldiers will learn how to fire American weapons. But the Ukrainians will need training on how to operate the Patriot battery. Americans will tutor them in Germany.
In the most poignant moment of his speech, Zelensky said many of the heroic Ukrainian people will celebrate Christmas by candle light, not to be romantic, but because Russians have knocked out electrical power.
I will light a Christmas candle for the people of Ukraine.
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