Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will speak to the U.S. Congress on Wednesday, according to a statement by congressional leaders.
“We look forward to the privilege of welcoming President Zelenskyy’s address to the House and Senate and to convey our support to the people of Ukraine as they bravely defend democracy,” House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer wrote in a letter obtained by NBC News.
“The Congress, our country and the world are in awe of the people of Ukraine, and to passing legislation to cripple and isolate the Russian economy as well as deliver humanitarian, security and economic assistance to Ukraine.”
Amid this news, the U.S. has been leading a round of sanctions against Russia, and Ukrainian leaders have been meeting with their Russian counterparts in order to discuss a ceasefire, ideally allowing civilians to leave the war zones.
All the while, Russia has been continuing its push into Ukraine. The Russian military has been bombing Ukraine’s major cities, including a maternity hospital in the port city of Mariupol.
Schumer and Pelosi have invited all congressmembers to the U.S. Capitol to watch the talk. They will also livestream the talk for the public at 9 a.m. on Wednesday.
Zelenskyy has already spoken with some House and Senate lawmakers. Earlier this month, he spoke to around 300 lawmakers. Over video, he reportedly asked for NATO to secure Ukraine’s skies, either by enforcing a no-fly zone or by providing more warplanes.
Since then, Congress has passed the 2022 Consolidated Appropriations Act, a bill to fund federal agencies during Europe’s rapidly escalating war. The bill grants Ukraine $13.6 billion of military and humanitarian aid, and it received bipartisan support.
However, some Democrats took issue with the bill for allocating too little funding for the pandemic response.
The Horn News and the Associated Press contributed to this article.