Watch Live: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy addresses U.S. Congress

Washington – President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy spoke both Houses of Congress are virtually Wednesday morning as their country continues to try to fight him Russian assault.

“It is one of the highest honors of any Congress to welcome the statements of foreign heads of state, but it is almost unheard of, unheard of in modern times that we hear of a leader fighting for his life, fighting for survival. of his country and fighting. to preserve the idea of ​​democracy, something that Americans love, “Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said Monday.

The virtual address will be received in the Congressional Auditorium of the Capitol Visitor Center and only members will be able to attend, according to a letter from Schumer and the Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi.

The speech will begin at 9 a.m. ET. CBS News will broadcast Zelenskyy’s statements in a special report presented by Gayle King and Tony Dokoupil.

In their letter to colleagues, Pelosi and Schumer said Congress remained committed “to supporting Ukraine in the face of Putin’s cruel and diabolical aggression, and to passing legislation to paralyze and isolate the economy.” as well as providing humanitarian, security and economic assistance to Ukraine. “

It is unclear what exactly the Ukrainian president will say in his speech. A Ukrainian official said that Zelenskyy’s speechwriters write a draft and that he often decides for himself what he intends to say. But he is more likely to call for more military assistance.

Ukraine’s main concern for the next phase of the war is its ability to compete with the Russian Air Force. The main request has been fighter jets, but with the transfer of Polish-owned MiG fighters now off the table, the Ukrainians also want surface-to-air weapons that could hit high-flying aircraft from Russia. This would go beyond the MANPADS and shoulder-mounted Stinger missiles that Ukrainians have been receiving from the US and Western allies. More drones are also likely to be requested.

The chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Gregory Meeks, a New York Democrat, stressed that Ukrainians must receive equipment that is already trained to operate. The Russian-made long-range S-300 missile is being considered, among other items, but the available weapons would still need to be located in countries wishing to transfer it to Ukraine.

Pressure on the Biden administration is unlikely to change the president’s opposition to the transfer of MiG aircraft.

But Mr Biden is expected to announce an additional $ 800 million in security assistance to Ukraine on Wednesday, bringing the total announced last week alone to $ 1 billion, a House official confirmed on Tuesday night. White. In all, Mr. Biden has authorized $ 2 billion in security for Ukraine since he took office. The United States remains by far the largest donor of security assistance to Ukraine.

The White House, for its part, announced Tuesday that President Biden will travel to Brussels next week to take part in an extraordinary NATO summit at its headquarters. Mr Biden and all 30 member countries of the alliance “will discuss ongoing deterrence and defense efforts in response to Russia’s unprovoked and unjustified attack on Ukraine, as well as to reaffirm our firm commitment to our NATO, “White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said Tuesday.

Biden will also join a European Council summit scheduled for March 24 and 25, “to discuss our shared concerns about Ukraine, including transatlantic efforts to impose economic costs on Russia, provide humanitarian support to those affected by the violence and addressing other conflict-related challenges, “Psaki continued.

Margaret Brennan and Kristin Brown contributed to this report.

17:46 / 15 March 2022

How to watch Zelenskyy’s speech in Congress