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"This flag is a symbol of our victory."

Kamala Harris (left) and Nancy Pelosi hold the Ukrainian flag signed by frontline soldiers in Bakhmut in the embattled Donetsk province. On the right is the US flag, which Zelenskyy was presented with afterward.

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (44) gave an emotional speech to the US Congress in Washington on Wednesday - and won the hearts of Americans. He was repeatedly interrupted by applause. The visit to his country's most important ally was Zelenskyy's first trip abroad since Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine began. "It is a great honor for me to be in the US Congress and to address you and all Americans. Contrary to all doomsday scenarios, Ukraine has not fallen. Ukraine is alive and well,” said Zelenskyy at the beginning of his speech to great applause. "We defeated Russia in the fight for the world's sanity." Ukraine will never surrender, he assured.

Zelenskyy was warmly welcomed in the Capitol. Some members of Congress shook his hand, many wearing blue and yellow - the colors of the Ukrainian flag.

The head of state of Ukraine thanked the US for billions in aid to support his country in the fight against the Russian invasion. "Your funds are not handouts," he said. "It's an investment in global security and democracy."

Because: According to Zelenskyy, the war in Ukraine will shape future generations. "This fight will decide what kind of world our children and grandchildren and their children and grandchildren will live in."

The most important warning

"If we don't stop them now, it's only a matter of time before they attack your other allies," Zelenskyy warned. The world is too interconnected for anyone to feel safe if the Russian attack continues. Therefore, the coming year will be a "turning point" in the war. "I know it is the point when Ukrainian courage and American determination must guarantee the future of our common freedom," he said.

The most emotional statement

Despite the Russian invasion, Zelenskyy announced: “We will celebrate Christmas, even if there is no electricity. The light of our belief in ourselves will not go out.”

And further: "If Russian missiles attack us, we will do our best to protect ourselves. If they attack us with Iranian drones and our people have to go to bomb shelters on Christmas Eve, Ukrainians will still sit down at the holiday table and cheer each other up,” the Ukrainian said. Millions of people in his country wanted only one thing - to win.

In the end, Zelenskyy presented the US Congress with a flag from the eastern Ukrainian frontline town of Bakhmut - as a thank you from Ukrainian soldiers. US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Vice President Kamala Harris jointly held the flag high. "This flag is a symbol of our victory. In this war, we stand, we fight, and we will win because we are united. Ukraine, America, and the entire free world," said Zelenskyy. Pelosi then presented him with an American flag.

The Ukrainian President's performance ended as it began - accompanied by applause lasting several minutes.