Zelensky shows Congress a graphic video of what 'the Russian troops did in our country'

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky showed Congress a heartbreaking video of what "the Russian troops did in our country" while pleading for help amid the ongoing invasion.

Zelensky spoke to Congress from Kyiv on Wednesday, telling U.S. lawmakers Russia has gone on a "brutal offensive against our values" and has "turned the Ukrainian sky into a source of death for thousands of people." He urged the United States to create a no-fly zone over Ukraine, saying, "Is this too much to ask?"

Zelensky compared the situation in Ukraine to Pearl Harbor and the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. "Our country experienced the same every day," he said. He also referenced Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech by telling Congress, "I have a need. I need to protect our sky."

Subscribe to The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE
https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516.jpg

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up

Near the end of his address, Zelensky showed an emotional video beginning with footage of Ukraine prior to the invasion and then compiling graphic footage of Russian attacks and civilians who have been killed. "We have to stop it," Zelensky said. "We must prevent it." The address was aired live across multiple networks, and CNN reportedly apologized to viewers for there being no warning before the graphic video was shown.

See more

Zelensky ended his speech by speaking in English and addressing President Biden directly.

"You are the leader of your great nation," Zelensky told Biden. "I wish you to be the leader of the world. Being the leader of the world means to be the leader of peace."

Continue reading for free

We hope you're enjoying The Week's refreshingly open-minded journalism.

Subscribed to The Week? Register your account with the same email as your subscription.

Brendan Morrow

Brendan is a staff writer at The Week. A graduate of Hofstra University with a degree in journalism, he also writes about horror films for Bloody Disgusting and has previously contributed to The Cheat Sheet, Heavy, WhatCulture, and more. He lives in New York City surrounded by Star Wars posters.