Watching a Hero for Our Time

Wednesday night we watched Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky as he addressed a joint meeting of Congress. His leadership of the Ukrainian struggle against the Russian invasion and destructive campaign to destroy his country has become legendary. I have read a few of the reactions to this powerful and moving speech:

“We have artillery, yes, thank you. … Is it enough? Honestly, not really.... Your money is not charity. It’s an investment in the global security and democracy that we handle in the most responsible way.” (Washington Post)

-- images from the Washington Post.

President Biden, at a joint news conference with Zelensky, stated:

“We understand in our bones that Ukraine’s fight is part of something much bigger.... The American people know if we stand by with such blatant attacks on democracy and liberty … the world would surely face worse consequences.” (Washington Post)

 

More About Zelensky's Speech

Columnist David Frum in the Atlantic wrote an article titled "Zelensky Recalled Us to Ourselves: He came to thank the U.S. for supporting Ukraine. It is Americans who should thank him." Frum wrote about the Congressional and national reception of Zelensky: 

"The extremists and conspiracists and populists, the authoritarians and kleptocrats and theocrats who have all gained so much ascendancy in recent years, they do not speak for us. That small man in the olive-green jersey at the rostrum of the House of Representatives, he spoke for us. And the reception given to him today by the president and by Congress told the world that his words had been heard and received and understood by the great democracy-minded majority of Americans.

“'So much in the world depends on you.' Sometimes, Americans forget that.

"Zelensky reminded us. He came to say thank you. It’s a little embarrassing to hear that thanks, because what Americans gave, fundamentally, was just money. Zelensky’s people have given blood, home, comfort, and security—every precious thing that human beings can sacrifice. The answer we owe Zelensky, the answer Zelensky should hear from this country, revived by his visit, his cause, and his country’s heroic fight, is: No, no, no—thank you." (The Atlantic)

What will happen next? The New York Times summarized the prospects for the continuation of war in an article titled "As Ukraine Prepares for a Second Year at War, the Prospect of a Stalemate Looms: American officials believe that with Russia bolstering defenses and learning lessons, Ukraine will find it more challenging to retake land." According to the article:

"With Mr. Zelensky’s arrival in Washington, the Biden administration announced a new $1.8 billion arms package that would send one Patriot air defense battery to Ukraine, along with precision-guided munitions for fighter jets and other weaponry. Since the start of the war in February, the United States has sent more than $20 billion in military aid to Ukraine.

"The package presented on Wednesday will include air defense batteries and precision-guided bombs for the first time. But even more weaponry for ground units will be needed to avoid a stalemate in the months to come, according to lawmakers and outside experts." (The New York Times)

I'm sure that within a few hours there will be many more articles about the war, about Zelensky's leadership, and about the declining support by right-wing extremists in the US for this critical international effort. My thoughts are with the Ukrainian people whose welfare has been destroyed by the Russian war on their existence. Zelensky invoked the image of Christmas without heat, electric power, or running water. I hope in the New Year we will continue to support the Ukrainian struggle to achieve victory.

Blog post by mae sander for maefood.blogspot.com