It really is extraordinary. A foreign president addressing the U.S. Congress as his country fights a war. It’s happening today.
What might Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky say when he addresses Congress virtually this morning?
I think we have an idea. “Please close the sky.” That’s what Zelensky said when he addressed the Canadian Parliament yesterday.
Zelensky was impassioned. Speaking directly to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, he said, “Justin, can you imagine you and your children hearing all these severe explosions, the bombing of the Ottawa airport? Cruise missiles are falling down and your children are asking what happened?”
Zelensky implored the Canadian government to establish a no-fly zone over Ukraine to help protect Ukrainian forces from Russian jets.
When he was done, the Canadian Parliament gave him a three minute standing ovation.
TMZ points out that Zelensky is not just a hero in his own country, but one all over the world. Will that be enough to help him get what he wants? A no-fly zone over Ukraine.
Probably not. Fox News reports that while the Biden administration is going to announce new spending and support for Ukraine, a no-fly zone is off the table.
Here’s why. President Biden believes a no-fly zone would escalate things and prompt a bigger war with Russia.
Still though, it’s something to see. Our lawmakers can’t agree on anything. On Ukraine, there seems to be bipartisan support.
As I write this, we are about ninety minutes from Volodymyr Zelensky’s zoom call to Congress. I can’t wait to watch this. We will see history made this morning. What will he say?