Zelenskiy Calls On U.S. To Be 'Strong' In Resolve Against Putin's Aggression

WASHINGTON -- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said U.S. leaders must be "strong" and "uncompromising" in helping to defend his country's democracy against Russian President Vladimir Putin's aggression and urged American lawmakers not to delay decisions because of the upcoming presidential election.

"Everyone is waiting for November. Americans are waiting for November, in Europe, the Middle East, in the Pacific, the whole world is looking toward November and, truly speaking, Putin awaits November, too," said Zelenskiy, who was speaking in English at an event at the Reagan Institute as NATO began its 75th anniversary summit in the U.S. capital.

"It is time to step out of the shadows, to make strong decisions...to act and not to wait for November or any other month," he said.

U.S. President Joe Biden, a Democrat, has expressed strong support for Ukraine throughout his presidency. But Republican rival Donald Trump has opposed expanded aid to Ukraine and, according to critics, has expressed pro-Russia sentiments.

In a question-and-answer session conducted by conservative Fox News host Brett Baier, Zelenskiy tried to avoid wading into U.S. politics when asked about the November 5 presidential election, but he did say he did not know Trump well enough to know what he'd do if elected and hoped America's support to Kyiv would not change regardless of the outcome of the vote.

"Biden and Trump are very different," Zelenskiy said, noting he had "good meetings" when Trump was president, though that was before the war broke out.

"But [Biden and Trump] are supportive of democracy, and that's why I think Putin will hate them both."

Since Russia's full-scale invasion of February 2022, Zelenskiy has aggressively pressed for additional military aid and has at times expressed frustration with the sluggish pace of action by Western partners.

The U.S. House of Representatives, under pressure to vote on a major aid package for Ukraine that had been held up by Republicans in Congress for months, in April finally passed a bill providing more than $60 billion to Ukraine,

Zelenskiy lamented the long delay, saying it had allowed Russia to make substantial battlefield gains while costing Ukraine control of some villages near the Russian border.

Speaking ahead of Zelenskiy at the event, Senate minority leader Mitch McConnell, whose Republican colleagues in Congress were behind the delay in aid as they pushed for deep changes in domestic security policy, agreed, saying, "Slow walking aid to Ukraine didn't stave off further escalation, it only guaranteed that this terrible conflict would be longer and bloodier.”

The Ukrainian leader’s remarks came shortly after Biden said Russia is seeking "nothing less" than to "wipe Ukraine off the map" and announced that Washington and its allies would be sending Kyiv further weapons, including additional air-defense systems.

"Ukraine can and will stop Putin, especially with our full collective support. They have our full support," Biden said as the summit kicked off.

SEE ALSO: Biden Tells NATO Summit Russia 'Will Not Prevail,' Promises Ukraine New Air-Defense Systems

Zelenskiy said such support needs to go beyond just putting more weapons on the ground in Ukraine.

“How much longer can Putin last? The answer to this question is right here in Washington: your leadership, your actions, your choice, the choice to act now…. Strong decisions are needed and we are waiting for them,” Zelenskiy said, referring to being given the right to strike deep inside Russian territory.

A White House statement said the United States, Germany, and Romania will donate modern Patriot missile batteries, while the Netherlands and other partners will provide Patriot components to enable the operation of an additional Patriot battery. Italy will donate an additional SAMP-T system, it said.

Patriot systems are capable of shooting down enemy planes and missiles from long distances, though analysts say Russia appears to be making gains in techniques to avoid the systems.

The pledge came a day after a barrage of Russian missiles slipped through defense systems across Ukraine, striking several civilian facilities, including Kyiv's Okhmatdyt Children's Hospital. At least 43 people died from the attacks, with scores more injured in what Biden called a "horrific reminder of Russia's brutality."

Zelenskiy welcomed the news of new air-defense systems, saying, "They will help," but he cautioned that "it is not enough. It is never enough."

He said Ukraine needs up to 130 F-16 fighter jets to achieve parity with Russia in the skies.

"Russia uses 300 warplanes against Ukraine every day. It was decided we get about 10 to 20. However, even if it were 50 planes, it is still nothing. To [efficiently] defend ourselves, we need 128 F-16s," Zelenskiy said.

NATO leaders will also discuss a proposal by outgoing Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg to provide Ukraine with 40 billion euros ($43 billion) in military aid next year.

Upon arriving at the summit and ahead of the speech, Zelenskiy said he would also press for NATO commitments on additional warplanes and to provide enhanced security guarantees.

In a video posted on his Telegram account, Zelenskiy said: "We are fighting for additional security guarantees for Ukraine. And these consist of weapons and finances, political support."

"We are doing, and will always do everything, to make the Russian terrorist lose," he added.