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Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine:
»This is my second time here, but the first time was before the war, before the full-scale invasion of Russia.
And what should I say?
Now it feels different, like a different story, a different life.«
It was a historic visit full of symbolism.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy has left Ukraine for the first time since the beginning of the war – at least as far as is publicly known.
His path led him to Washington.
He has spoken to President Joe Biden, to Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, and to Congress.
There he was received with a standing ovation.
Stressed unity ran through the speeches of the day.
Joe Biden, US President:
"It is an honor to stand with you in the common defense against a brutal war that Putin instigated."
Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine:
"First of all, kudos to you, Mr. President, for your great support and leadership."
Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the House:
"We stand here today and welcome brave President Zelenskyy.
Not only to commend him, but also to commend the brave, united people of Ukraine for what they are doing to support democracy.”
Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine:
"It is a great honor for me to stand in the US Congress and to speak to all Americans."
Praise, recognition, thanks – the visit was above all a symbolic solidarity.
The message: We stand together, the US will not let Ukraine down - and Kyiv appreciates that.
The symbolism did not end there: In the congress, Zelenskyi presented a Ukrainian flag from the front, signed by soldiers.
In return, he received a framed US flag.
But Biden also announced solid news.
Joe Biden, US President:
“Today I announce the next part of our security assistance to Ukraine.
A $1.85 billion security assistance package that includes both direct shipments of military equipment and contracts that will provide Ukraine with munitions that the country will need for its artillery, tanks and rocket launchers over the coming months.”
So far, the greatest support for Ukraine has come from the United States: Washington has already provided 50 billion dollars in humanitarian, financial and military aid since the beginning of the war.
In Congress, however, support for these aids is slowly fading.
Especially in the America First wing of the Republicans - it is the party that will have a majority in the House of Representatives in the future.
In part, the support is crumbling, even among the Democrats.
So Zelenskyj apparently felt compelled again to emphasize the value of the support for the USA itself.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine:
»Your money is not alms.
It is an investment in global security and democracy and we are using it as responsibly as we can."
Biden said it would support Kyiv until it was able to negotiate with Vladimir Putin.
And Zelenskyy made it clear what his conditions for a peaceful solution are.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine:
»You know, just peace is different for all of us.
For me as President, there can only be a just peace without compromising my country's independence, freedom and territorial integrity.
And compensation for all the damage caused by Russian aggression.«
So Selenskyj's surprise visit to Washington was worth it, symbolically and financially.
However, he will probably continue to be dependent on the help of the USA for a very long time.