Blumenthal Statement on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's Speech Before a Joint Meeting of Congress

[WASHINGTON, DC] – U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, released the following statement in response to President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s remarks before a Joint Meeting of Congress:

“President Zelenskyy is a larger than life leader. Tonight’s speech was an electric moment – a call to arms and to conscience that brought standing ovations and tears. Preisent Zelenskyy’s remarks were heroically exhilarating and should galvanize bipartisan support for military and humanitarian aid. Unfurling Ukraine’s flag brought from the battlefield was a striking symbol of our unshakable bonds. Tonight, my colleagues in Congress and our entire nation saw what so deeply inspired me about President Zelenskyy during our meetings this year: incomparable courage and conviction and an unshakable determination to fight Putin’s savage genocidal onslaught, no matter what it takes.”

Blumenthal met with Zelenskyy in July during a trip to Ukraine with U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC). During their visit to Kyiv, Blumenthal and Graham presented President Zelenskyy with a copy of the resolution they have introduced to designate Russia as a state sponsor of terrorism. They also visited Bucha, the Kyiv suburb where Russian forces reportedly killed hundreds of innocent civilians. A readout of the meeting from President Zelenskyy’s office can be found here. Photos and videos of their visit are available here.

Blumenthal also met with Zelenskyy in January during a trip to Ukraine with U.S. Senators Rob Portman (R-OH) Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Roger Wicker (R-MS). In March, Blumenthal, Portman, Klobuchar, and Wicker traveled to Poland’s border with Ukraine to meet with Polish officials and visit refugee sites.

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