Ukraine President Invokes 9/11 Attacks In Address To US Congress On War, Gets Standing Ovation

Russia-Ukraine War: President Volodymyr Zelensky got a standing ovation from the US Congress following his address.

Ukraine President Zelensky (Getty Images)

New Delhi: In an address to the US Congress on Wednesday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky cited the Pearl Harbor and 9/11 attacks to appeal to the Congress for help against Russia in the conflict, BBC reported.

"This is a terror that Europe has not seen, has not seen for 80 years," Zelensky said.

Zelensky said via video link that Ukraine was enduring "a 9/11" every day as it battled Russian forces. He asked the US Congress for more military aid as Russia's invasion of Ukraine entered its 21st day.

Addressing a joint session of the US Congress, Zelensky said, "Remember Pearl Harbor, terrible morning of December 7, 1941, when your sky was black from the planes attacking you."

A surprise aerial attack on the US naval base at Pearl Harbor on Oahu Island, Hawaii, by the Japanese had precipitated the entry of the United States into World War II. 

"Remember September the 11th, a terrible day in 2001 when evil tried to turn your cities, independent territories, in battlefields. Our country is experiencing it every day," he said.

President Volodymyr Zelensky got a standing ovation from the US Congress following his address.

"Russia has attacked not just us, not just our land, not just our cities, it went on a brutal offensive against our values, against our right to live freely in our own country, against our national dreams. Just like the same dreams you Americans have," Zelensky further said.

He also urged the US and NATO allies to enforce a no-fly zone over Ukraine, saying, "I need to protect the sky." Zelensky said the US must sanction Russian lawmakers and block imports. 

"Peace is more important than income," he told the US Congress.

US President Joe Biden is likely to sign off an extra $800 million in military aid to Ukraine, BBC reported. The money will go towards anti-armour and anti-aircraft weapons, such as Stingers and Javelins. Congress has already approved $13.6 billion in military and humanitarian aid for Ukraine.

In a speech earlier this month to the UK's House of Commons, Zelensky received a standing ovation when he referenced wartime Prime Minister Winston Churchill's most famous speech.

"We will not give up and we will not lose. We will fight until the end at sea, in the air. We will continue fighting for our land, whatever the cost," Zelensky had said.