CNN
—
It was a historic moment when Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky addressed the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday, thanking the United States for its support, and resonated with people in his home country.
CNN spoke to the Ukrainian public to assess their reaction to Zelensky’s visit and how he was received by US lawmakers.
The transatlantic visit was Zelensky’s first trip outside of Ukraine since Russia invaded in February. He took this opportunity to thank important Western allies for their country’s support and ask for further assistance.
“Ukraine has not fallen against all odds, doom and gloom scenarios. Ukraine is alive and kicking,” Zelensky said.
His visit sparked outrage from the Kremlin, with a spokesperson saying neither President Joe Biden nor President Zelensky showed “a latent willingness to listen to Russia’s concerns”. Russia’s foreign ministry warned that supplying missile systems to Ukraine would prolong people’s “suffering” Kyiv and its Western allies said “We are preparing for a long-term confrontation with Russia.”
But inside Ukraine, people were moved by the leader’s speech.
Kyiv’s marketing director, Mariya Frachova, told CNN that she has always been moved by Zelensky’s speeches, and Wednesday was no exception.
“When he spoke in the House, his appearance wasn’t wearing a suit. It was himself,” she said. “He spoke the truth and said what he wanted to say and what he had to say. I admire that.”
His welcome was “very moving,” Hrachova said, emphasizing the effectiveness of the visit in “recovering arms and hundreds of millions of dollars in aid.”
“We understand that we need to increase it,” Hrachova said. “We know that the U.S. establishment has different views on the situation in Ukraine and U.S. support for Ukraine, but we hope that the government and the majority of Congress will support us.”
Techyana Vasilivna, a fruit vendor in Kyiv, also welcomed Zelensky’s visit to Washington.
“I think this visit brings the end of the war closer,” said Vasilivna from Kherson. “I think this expedition will help us win.”
“It really brought tears to my eyes to see him (Zelensky) so well received,” she said. “He’s doing a great job as president. Really great. There are no other words to describe him.”
Oleksandr Kuzmenko, who works in computer graphics in Kyiv, said it was important for U.S. lawmakers to hear directly from the Ukrainian president about the situation on the ground and not from a third party.
“I think he conveyed it very well, both in terms of message and choreography,” said Kuzmenko. “It was a good way to make all the points and call for weapons.”
Kuzmenko said he supported Zelensky’s key message and believed that Russia’s aggression demonstrated the shortcomings of existing world institutions.
“The current global security architecture is ineffective and it is at our expense that we need to rebuild it,” he said.
“If we let it go, we don’t have to sort it out…we have to sort this mess out. It will be good for our children and grandchildren,” Kuzmenko added.
Oleksandr Soronko, a Ukrainian soldier now based near Bakhmut, was unable to see Zelensky’s speech in Washington, but believes the visit was positive.
“Such visits are no coincidence. For us, this is an indicator of US commitment and means continued support,” he said.
“We, the military, are doing our job and expect the government to acquire the necessary weapons and other means to help drive the occupiers off our land.”
It is also part of a “symbolic war,” Soronko said.
“Apart from military cooperation and economic support, it will be interesting to see what happens behind the scenes of the visit,” he said. “There are probably many more issues that need to be discussed among our country’s representatives.”
