Dear Americans, in all states, cities, and communities, all those who value freedom and justice, who cherish it as strongly as we Ukrainians, in all our cities, in each and every family, I hope my words of respect and gratitutde resonate in each American heart. Madam, Vice President, I thank you for your efforts in helping Ukraine. Madam Speaker, you bravely visited Ukraine during the full-fledged war, thank you very much, great honour, thank you very much. My privilege to be here.
Dear members of the Congress, representatives of both parties, who also visited Kyiv, esteemed Congressmen and Senators from both parties who will visit Ukraine, I am sure in the future, dear representatives of the diaspora.
Present in the chamber and spread across the country, dear journalists. It is a great honour for me to be at the US Congress and speak to you and all Americans, against all odds and doom and gloom scenarios, Ukraine didn't fall. Ukraine is alive and kicking. And it gives me good reason to share with you, our first joined victory. We defeated Russia in the battle for minds of the world. We have no fear, nor should anyone in the world have it, Ukraine has gained this victory and it gives us courage which inspires the entire world. Americans, gained this victory, and that's why you have succeeded in uniting the global community to protect freedom and international law. Europeans, gained this victory, and that's why you're now stronger and more independent than ever. The Russian tyranny has lost control over us. And it will never influence our minds again. Yet, we have to do whatever it takes to ensure that countries of the Global South also gain such victory. I know one more very important thing, the Russians will stand a chance to be free when they defeat the Kremlin in their minds. Yet, the battle continues and we have to defeat the Kremlin on the battlefield. Yes, this battle is not only for the territory, the peace and other parts of Europe. The battle is not only for the life, freedom and security of Ukrainians, or any other nation which Russia attempts to conquer. This struggle will define in what world our children and grandchildren will live, and then their children and grandchildren. It will define whether it will be a democracy, of Ukrainians, and for Americans, for all. This battle cannot be frozen or postponed. It cannot be ignored, hoping that the ocean or something else will provide a protection. From the United States to China. From Europe to Latin America. And from Africa to Australia. The world is too interconnected and interdependent to allow someone to stay aside and at the same time to feel safe, when such a battle continues. Our two nations are allies in this battle. And next year, will be a turning point, I know it, the point when Ukrainian courage and American resolve must guarantee the future of our common freedom. The freedom of people to stand for their values.
Ladies and gentlemen, Americans. Yesterday before coming here to Washington D.C., I was at the frontline, in our Bakhmut. In our stronghold in the east of Ukraine in the Donbas. The Russian military and mercenaries have been attacking Bakhmut nonstop since May. They have been attacking it, day and night, but Bakhmut stands. Last year, 70000 people lived there in Bakhmut, in the city. And now only few cities lands stay. Every inch of that land is soaked in blood, roaring guns sound every hour. Trenches in the Donbas change hands several times a day, in fierce combat and even hand fighting, but the Ukrainian Donbas stands. Russians use everything they have against Bakhmut, and others of our beautiful cities. The occupiers have a significant advantage in artillery, they have an advantage in ammunition, they have much more missiles and planes than we ever had. Yes, it's true, but our defence forces stand. And we all are proud of them. The Russians' tactic is primitive, they burn down and destroy everything they see, they send thugs to the frontlines, they send convicts to the war. They threw everything against us similar to the other tyranny which was in the Battle of the Bulge. Threw everything it had against the free world, just like the brave American soldiers who held their lines and fought back Hitler's forces during the Christmas of 1944. Brave Ukrainian soldiers are doing the same to Putin's forces this Christmas. Ukraine holds its lines and will never surrender.