Zelenskyy invoked Pearl Harbor and the Sept. 11 terror strikes on America as he pleaded for more aid to his country.
Zelenskyy, who was greeted with at least three standing ovations from an audience of lawmakers, asked the U.S. to implement a no-fly zone over Ukraine to stem the Russian attacks, which have led to the deaths of thousands of people.
Zelenskyy said that this is a terror that Europe has not seen in 80 years and that they are asking for an answer from the whole world.
Is it possible to create a no-fly zone over Ukraine to save people? He said via video link from the Ukrainian capital that it was too much to ask.
Zelenskyy said that Western leaders have resisted the idea of a no-fly zone because it would require NATO to shoot down enemies. It has been rejected out of fear of another world war.
He said that they offer an alternative if this is too much to ask.
He said that there were additional weapons and humanitarian support beyond what has already been granted to Ukraine, as well as even tougher sanctions on Russia and leading Russian supporters of that country.
Zelenskyy said that until the Russian military machine stops, restrictions are needed for everyone.
He urged members of Congress to get companies in their districts to leave the Russian market.
He said that he called on you to do more.
Zelenskyy said he wanted his American counterpart to lead the world in the face of Russian aggression, not just the U.S.
Zelenskyy said that being the leader of the world means to be the leader of peace.
Hundreds of millions of dollars in additional aid is expected to be announced by Biden.
Nancy Pelosi introduced Zelenskyy for his address.
Pelosi spoke in Ukrainian before he began speaking.
Zelenskyy said he was proud to greet you from the capital city of Ukraine, which is under missile and airstrikes from Russian troops every day.
We have not even thought about it. He said that many other cities and communities in the country found themselves in the worst war since World War II.
Zelenskyy went back to the link with World War II after noting what he called America's fundamental tenets of democracy, independence, freedom and care for everyone.
He said that they want the same for their people.
Americans in your great history, there are pages that will allow you to understand Ukrainians. Zelenskyy said to understand us now when you need it.
Right now, when we need you. The terrible morning of December 7, 1941 was Pearl Harbor. He said that when your sky was black from the planes attacking you.
Just remember... The 11th is September. It was a terrible day in 2001 when al-Qaeda tried to turn your cities into battlefields. He said that when innocent people were attacked.
Zelenskyy said that the US could not stop those attacks from the air on those days.
He said that Russia has turned the Ukrainian sky into a source of death for thousands of people. There are many bombs. They use drones to kill us.