money Zelensky speech - live: Biden considers Switchblade drone deal as Ukraine leader speaks to Congress
As Russia’s invasion of Ukraine continues, US president Joe Biden is expected to announce $800m (£612m) of aid to the eastern European country, a sum that would bring the total aid sent to Ukraine in the last week alone to $1bn.
Mr Biden is also reportedly considering providing Ukraine with US-made drones, including the recently developed so-called “loitering missile” system known as Switchblade. Drones have played a major part in Ukraine’s defence against the Russian assault, in particular TB2 drones supplied by Turkey.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is set to speak to the US Congress in a virtual address at 9am ET today after being invited by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer .
“The Congress, our country and the world are in awe of the people of Ukraine, who have shown extraordinary courage, resilience and determination in the face of Russia’s unprovoked, vicious, and illegal war,” a letter from the leaders said.
“We look forward to the privilege of welcoming President Zelensky’s address to the House and Senate and to convey our support to the people of Ukraine as they bravely defend democracy.”
The Ukrainian president has already addressed Canadian and British MPs.
Key points so far
Pelosi and Schumer invite Zelensky to give a virtual address to Congress
Zelensky given three standing ovations in Canadian parliament
Zelensky told UK parliament fight against Russia was like Britain’s struggle with Nazis
Voices | On a Russian journalist’s one-woman protest
11:02 , Andrew Naughtie
Writing for The Independent, Skylar Baker-Jordan looks at the case of Maria Ovsiannikova, the journalist who stood behind a news anchor on Russian state TV with a hand-made sign reading “Stop the war. Don’t believe the propaganda. They lie to you here.”
As he writes, her subsequent arrest and trial – which saw her fined 30,000 roubles, or $280 – is a reminder that plenty of ordinary Russian people deserve the west’s support for the “crime” of speaking out against their government.
Read his piece below.
The one-woman Russian TV protest that proves we should stand with everyday Russians
Whats to watch out for as Zelensky addresses Congress
10:00 , Oliver O'Connell
John Bowden explains what to watch out for when President Volodymyr Zelensky addresses Congress today.
Six things to watch for when Ukraine’s president Zelensky addresses Congress
Biden sees minimal poll bounce from Ukraine as Zelensky’s US approval soars
09:15 , Oliver O'Connell
While Joe Biden is winning some praise for his administration’s aggressive response to Russia’s war in Ukraine, it seems there has been little effect on his dismal standing among the electorate.
It’s a different story for the American public’s impression of Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky ahead of today’s historic address to Congress.
Andrew Naughtie reports.
Biden sees minimal poll bounce from Ukraine as Zelensky’s US approval soars
Madison Cawthorn’s local paper demolishes him for calling Zelensky a ‘thug’
08:30 , Oliver O'Connell
After facing a grassroots effort to prevent him from running for re-election, far-right Republican Congressman Madison Cawthorn has been branded “deplorable” by a newspaper in his home state.
In an editorial, the Winston-Salem Journal wrote that Mr Cawthorn – whom it described as “North Carolina’s gift to Crazytown” – went too far recently by describing Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky as a “thug”. “This is a David and Goliath story,” wrote the editors, “and Cawthorn thinks Goliath got a bad rap.”
Andrew Naughtie reports.
Madison Cawthorn’s local paper slams him for calling Zelensky a ‘thug’
Zelensky calls on Russian troops to surrender: ‘I offer you a chance to survive’
07:00 , Oliver O'Connell
Volodymyr Zelensky has called on Russian soldiers to surrender.
In his nightly TV address, the president of Ukraine said Vladimir Putin‘s forces had suffered worse losses during their invasion than in the Chechnya conflict, adding that they are beginning to understand they will not achieve anything by war.
“I know that you want to survive,” Mr Zelensky said, vowing that those who surrender will be treated “as people, decently”.
Zelensky calls on Russian troops to surrender: ‘I offer you a chance to survive’
Zelensky concedes Ukraine will not become a member of Nato
05:30 , Oliver O'Connell
Volodymyr Zelensky has said Ukraine should accept it will not become a member of Nato, hinting at a potential key concession to Russia, which demanded such a guarantee before launching its deadly invasion three weeks ago.
Speaking to military officials of the UK-led Joint Expeditionary Force in a video message on Tuesday, the president, who has won plaudits around the world for his conduct during the war, said it was a “truth” that it would not join the military alliance.
“Ukraine is not a member of Nato. We understand that. We have heard for years that the doors were open, but we also heard that we could not join. It’s a truth and it must be recognised,” Zelensky said.
The Independent’s International Editor David Harding reports.
Ukraine’s President Zelensky concedes Ukraine will not become a member of Nato
Biden to announce extra $800m aid to Ukraine
05:03 , Sravasti Dasgupta
US president Joe Biden is expected to announce an additional aid of $800m (£612m) to Ukraine on Wednesday.
The package of military assistance will include anti-tank missiles and more of the defensive weapons that the US has already been providing, including Javelin anti-tank and Stinger anti-aircraft missiles, reported CNN.
With the new tranche, the total aid to Ukraine in the last week alone would reach $1bn.
However, the assistance does not include a no-fly zone or fighter jets to Ukraine, demands that president Volodymyr Zelensky has repeatedly made.
Zelensky told UK parliament fight against Russia was like Britain’s struggle with Nazis
03:30 , Oliver O'Connell
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky echoed Winston Churchill and compared his country’s fight against Russia to Britain’s battle against the Nazis in an historic address to parliament a week ago.
The embattled leader urged Boris Johnson to increase the pressure on Vladimir Putin’s regime by going further on sanctions, asking the prime minister to declare Russia a “terrorist state”.
In his 10-minute video address, Mr Zelensky told parliament: “We do not want to lose what we have, what is ours, our country Ukraine, just the same as you did not want to lose your country when the Nazis started to fight your country and you had to fight for Britain.”
Adan Forrest reported on the historic address on 8 March.
Fight against Russia is like Britain’s struggle with Nazis, Zelensky tells parliament
Zelensky personally thanks journalist who protested live on Russian state TV
02:00 , Oliver O'Connell
Volodymyr Zelensky has personally thanked a Russian TV editor for denouncing the war live on Russian state TV.
Marina Ovsyannikova stood behind the newsreader on her nation’s most-watched programme and held a banner that read: “Stop the war. Don’t believe the propaganda. They’re lying to you here.”
Responding to the stunt, the president of Ukraine shared his thanks to Ms Ovsyannikova for not being afraid to protest.
“I am personally thankful to that young woman who came into the studio of Channel One with the banner against war,” Mr Zelensky said.
Zelensky personally thanks journalist who protested live on Russian state TV
Ukrainian MPs sing national anthem at emergency parliamentary session
00:30 , Oliver O'Connell
Hundreds of Ukrainian MPs have gathered again for an emergency parliamentary session to pass laws in response to Russia’s invasion and sing their national anthem.
Inna Sovsun, the deputy leader of the Holos Party, was among those at the emergency session in the Verkhovna Rada in the centre of Ukraine’s capital – which Russian bombardments have edged closer to in recent days.
On Tuesday more than 350 of 425 Ukrainian MPs were present at the session according to Ms Sovsun, who described singing their anthem as “highly emotional”.
Edd Dracott reports.
Ukrainian MPs sing national anthem at emergency parliamentary session in Kyiv
Six things to watch for when Zelensky addresses US Congress
Tuesday 15 March 2022 23:00 , Oliver O'Connell
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky will deliver a historic early-morning address to Congress on Wednesday morning as his government continues to battle a brutal Russian invasion.
The Independent’s John Bowden explains what to look out for in the speech.
Six things to watch for when Ukraine’s president Zelensky addresses Congress
Trudeau banned from Russia after Zelensky address
Tuesday 15 March 2022 21:40 , Oliver O'Connell
Canada’s prime minister Justin Trudeau and senior members of his cabinet have been banned from entering Russia.
It came after Ukraine president Volodymyr Zelensky addressed Canada’s Parliament on Tuesday morning to call for a Nato no-fly zone over his country. Zelensky will address the US Congress on Wednesday.
Justin Vallejo reports.
Justin Trudeau banned from Russia
Zelensky given three standing ovations in Canadian parliament
Tuesday 15 March 2022 20:40 , Oliver O'Connell
Volodymyr Zelensky was described as a “champion for democracy” by Justin Trudeau before he received three standing ovations from the Canadian parliament.
The president of Ukraine was addressing politicians via video link on Tuesday, delivering a powerful and personal appeal to Canada urging for more help to withstand Russia‘s invasion.
“Volodymyr, in the years I’ve known you, I’ve always thought of you as a champion for democracy,” Mr Trudeau said.
“Now, democracies around the world, are lucky to have you as our champion.”
‘Champion of democracy’ Zelensky given three standing ovations in Canadian parliament
Pelosi and Schumer invite Zelensky to give a virtual address to Congress
Tuesday 15 March 2022 20:10 , Oliver O'Connell
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer invited Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to give a virtual joint address to Congress on Wednesday morning at 9am.
The Independent will bring you all the latest news surrounding this historic address.
Pelosi and Schumer invites Zelensky to give a virtual address to Congress
