Charles Lipson

Zelensky’s Congress address was a triumph

(Photo: Getty)

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky’s address to a joint session of Congress on Wednesday night was a political triumph. It was easily the most impressive speech given to Congress and the American public in years. And it was persuasive, if the audience’s repeated ovations are any indication.

Zelensky’s goal was obvious. In thanking the Congress and the Biden administration, he hoped not only to show his nation’s gratitude but to ensure continued American support for Ukraine’s fight with Russia. The subtext was that, ideally, America and its Nato partners would do more than continue the current flow of weapons and ammunition. They would increase them and include more advanced weapons.

But Zelensky wisely put those requests on the back-burner. Far better to make them only in private meetings, like the one he had earlier with President Biden. In his public speech, he focused on his country’s determination to fight for complete victory, his gratitude for strong US support and the high price his people were paying. His most touching references were to Ukrainians celebrating Christmas by candlelight, some in bomb shelters, because Russia had deliberately destroyed their electricity. That point will undoubtedly echo in Europe, where Russian gas supplies have been cut. He also stressed Iran’s partnership with Russia, making clear that his country’s enemies were also America’s.

Zelensky was wise, too, in repeatedly thanking both parties and both the House and Senate. The only sour note was hidden in the audience, where four right-wing Republicans refused to clap. The rest of America’s elected representatives stood to cheer Zelensky time after time, showing there really is bipartisan, bicameral support for Ukraine’s fight. The hard question is how long that will last and how many advanced weapons America is willing to send. That’s why Zelensky needed to be so persuasive.

Beyond the applause lines, Zelensky’s speech made a larger point that President Biden should have made to the American public long ago but never has.

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Written by
Charles Lipson
Charles Lipson is the Peter B. Ritzma Professor of Political Science Emeritus at the University of Chicago, where he founded the programme on International Politics, Economics, and Security.

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