1 00:00:01,167 --> 00:00:01,968 - [Announcer] And with the ongoing support 2 00:00:01,968 --> 00:00:03,937 of these institutions. 3 00:00:03,937 --> 00:00:07,207 (bright upbeat music) 4 00:00:09,542 --> 00:00:11,077 This program was made possible 5 00:00:11,077 --> 00:00:13,313 by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting 6 00:00:13,313 --> 00:00:15,915 and by contributions to your PBS station 7 00:00:15,915 --> 00:00:17,384 from viewers like you. 8 00:00:18,318 --> 00:00:19,119 Thank you. 9 00:00:22,522 --> 00:00:25,025 - President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine 10 00:00:25,025 --> 00:00:26,926 is in Washington this evening. 11 00:00:26,926 --> 00:00:30,530 A surprise visit to his nation's most important partner 12 00:00:30,530 --> 00:00:31,998 in its fight against Russia. 13 00:00:31,998 --> 00:00:34,567 He met this afternoon with President Biden 14 00:00:34,567 --> 00:00:37,303 and will address Congress later tonight. 15 00:00:37,303 --> 00:00:40,974 The visit comes as lawmakers consider major funding increase 16 00:00:40,974 --> 00:00:43,576 for Ukraine and as the Biden administration 17 00:00:43,576 --> 00:00:46,446 sends more weapons to aid the war effort. 18 00:00:47,547 --> 00:00:49,215 - Welcome back, sir. 19 00:00:49,215 --> 00:00:51,484 - [Judy] In a visit the world is watching, 20 00:00:51,484 --> 00:00:54,521 Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy traveled 21 00:00:54,521 --> 00:00:57,157 outside the borders of his battered country 22 00:00:57,157 --> 00:00:59,492 for his first known trip abroad 23 00:00:59,492 --> 00:01:01,761 since Russia invaded in February. 24 00:01:01,761 --> 00:01:04,030 - Well, Mr. President, it's good to have you back. 25 00:01:04,030 --> 00:01:06,232 - [Judy] His decision to come to Washington 26 00:01:06,232 --> 00:01:10,503 on Day 301 of the war reinforces the partnership 27 00:01:10,503 --> 00:01:12,439 between the U.S. and Ukraine 28 00:01:12,439 --> 00:01:15,008 that Zelenskyy sees as critical. 29 00:01:15,008 --> 00:01:17,977 On Twitter he said he would meet with President Biden 30 00:01:17,977 --> 00:01:21,481 to quote, "Strengthen resilience and defense capabilities 31 00:01:21,481 --> 00:01:22,615 "of Ukraine." 32 00:01:24,050 --> 00:01:27,654 He took that same message Tuesday to Ukrainian troops 33 00:01:27,654 --> 00:01:29,589 in the city of Bakhmut, 34 00:01:29,589 --> 00:01:32,926 the sight of pitched and brutal fighting in the East. 35 00:01:32,926 --> 00:01:35,428 (Volodymyr speaking in foreign language) 36 00:01:35,428 --> 00:01:37,664 - [Translator] It is a complicated situation. 37 00:01:37,664 --> 00:01:40,233 The enemy increases the number of its troops. 38 00:01:40,233 --> 00:01:43,670 We will pass on gratitude from our boys to the U.S. Congress 39 00:01:43,670 --> 00:01:47,540 and U.S. president for their support but it is not enough. 40 00:01:47,540 --> 00:01:50,910 - [Judy] Ukrainians reacted to news of Zelenskyy's visit, 41 00:01:50,910 --> 00:01:54,481 trusting their leader to secure what the country needs. 42 00:01:54,481 --> 00:01:56,282 (Hanna speaking in foreign language) 43 00:01:56,282 --> 00:01:58,284 - [Translator] We hope for support as the United States 44 00:01:58,284 --> 00:01:59,886 is one of our main partners. 45 00:01:59,886 --> 00:02:02,455 After his trip to Bakhmut which is my home city, 46 00:02:02,455 --> 00:02:04,357 I hope Zelenskyy will be able to share 47 00:02:04,357 --> 00:02:07,494 his firsthand experience about what's going on there, 48 00:02:07,494 --> 00:02:09,462 how our cities are being ruined, 49 00:02:09,462 --> 00:02:11,564 how our people are being killed. 50 00:02:11,564 --> 00:02:14,334 I think no one in the U.S. can remain careless 51 00:02:14,334 --> 00:02:17,103 and that support will only grow. 52 00:02:17,103 --> 00:02:19,539 - [Judy] Russia has hammered Ukraine with missiles 53 00:02:19,539 --> 00:02:21,941 and drone strikes in recent weeks 54 00:02:21,941 --> 00:02:26,112 as Moscow shifted its strategy to inflict even more pain 55 00:02:26,112 --> 00:02:27,614 on Ukraine's people, 56 00:02:27,614 --> 00:02:30,517 repeatedly taking down the electrical grid 57 00:02:30,517 --> 00:02:32,485 amid freezing winter cold. 58 00:02:34,087 --> 00:02:37,056 But more air defense is on its way. 59 00:02:37,056 --> 00:02:39,492 The U.S. announced today that it would provide 60 00:02:39,492 --> 00:02:44,430 an additional $1.8 billion in military aid to Ukraine 61 00:02:44,430 --> 00:02:48,234 with for the first time, a patriot missile battery 62 00:02:48,234 --> 00:02:51,604 and precision-guided bombs for fighter jets. 63 00:02:51,604 --> 00:02:55,008 With those, the U.S. aims to help Ukraine bolster 64 00:02:55,008 --> 00:02:58,711 both its air defense and attack capabilities. 65 00:02:58,711 --> 00:03:01,080 Meanwhile, Russia send a stark warning 66 00:03:01,080 --> 00:03:04,450 against further American military aid to Ukraine. 67 00:03:04,450 --> 00:03:06,519 (Dmitry speaking in foreign language) 68 00:03:06,519 --> 00:03:08,254 - [Translator] Weapons supplies continue, 69 00:03:08,254 --> 00:03:11,191 the assortment of supplied weapons is expanding. 70 00:03:11,191 --> 00:03:13,626 All this leads to an aggravation of the conflict 71 00:03:13,626 --> 00:03:15,562 and does not bode well for Ukraine. 72 00:03:15,562 --> 00:03:18,965 - [Judy] And in a speech to top military leaders, 73 00:03:18,965 --> 00:03:23,169 Russia's President Vladimir Putin vowed to continue the war 74 00:03:23,169 --> 00:03:24,504 no matter what. 75 00:03:24,504 --> 00:03:27,073 (Vladimir speaking in foreign language) 76 00:03:27,073 --> 00:03:29,776 - Of course, combat and military actions 77 00:03:29,776 --> 00:03:33,046 always bring tragedy and human losses 78 00:03:33,046 --> 00:03:34,814 but since it is inevitable, 79 00:03:34,814 --> 00:03:37,817 it is better that it happens today than tomorrow. 80 00:03:37,817 --> 00:03:40,653 I have no doubt that all the goals we set ourselves 81 00:03:40,653 --> 00:03:42,388 will be achieved. 82 00:03:42,388 --> 00:03:45,058 - All my appreciations from my heart, 83 00:03:45,058 --> 00:03:48,027 from the heart of Ukrainians, all Ukrainians. 84 00:03:48,027 --> 00:03:49,229 - [Judy] Back at the White House, 85 00:03:49,229 --> 00:03:51,798 Zelenskyy thank the U.S. for support 86 00:03:51,798 --> 00:03:54,667 and presented President Biden with a medal 87 00:03:54,667 --> 00:03:59,405 won by a Ukrainian officer given at the officer's request. 88 00:03:59,405 --> 00:04:02,508 Later standing side by side with Zelenskyy, 89 00:04:02,508 --> 00:04:05,078 President Biden said the new aid package 90 00:04:05,078 --> 00:04:07,880 would send a powerful message to Putin. 91 00:04:07,880 --> 00:04:10,917 - He was wrong, wrong and wrong. 92 00:04:10,917 --> 00:04:12,452 He continues to be wrong. 93 00:04:12,452 --> 00:04:17,056 The sooner it is clear that he cannot possibly win this war, 94 00:04:17,056 --> 00:04:19,692 that's when the time we have to put this president 95 00:04:19,692 --> 00:04:21,728 in a position to be able to decide 96 00:04:21,728 --> 00:04:23,329 how he wants the war to end. 97 00:04:23,329 --> 00:04:26,466 - [Judy] They spoke about weapons, energy sanctions, 98 00:04:26,466 --> 00:04:28,835 and support for peace talks. 99 00:04:28,835 --> 00:04:32,272 Zelenskyy urged the U.S. to stay engaged in the war 100 00:04:32,272 --> 00:04:34,774 and in its support of Ukraine. 101 00:04:34,774 --> 00:04:38,511 - We really fight for our common victory 102 00:04:38,511 --> 00:04:43,516 against this tyranny that is real life and we will win 103 00:04:45,018 --> 00:04:48,254 and I really want win together. 104 00:04:49,355 --> 00:04:50,223 Thanks so much. 105 00:04:51,324 --> 00:04:53,693 Not want, sorry, I'm sure. 106 00:04:53,693 --> 00:04:56,396 - His last stop is his first in-person 107 00:04:56,396 --> 00:04:59,499 address to Congress where he will ask lawmakers 108 00:04:59,499 --> 00:05:02,101 not to forget about Ukraine. 109 00:05:02,101 --> 00:05:05,271 (bright upbeat music) 110 00:05:15,515 --> 00:05:18,384 In the day's other news, as President Zelenskyy arrived, 111 00:05:18,384 --> 00:05:21,054 the U.S. Senate confirmed Lynne Tracy 112 00:05:21,054 --> 00:05:23,656 as the new American ambassador to Russia. 113 00:05:23,656 --> 00:05:26,926 She sailed through on a 93 to two vote 114 00:05:26,926 --> 00:05:29,962 in a signal of U.S. solidarity with Ukraine. 115 00:05:29,962 --> 00:05:31,631 Tracy is a career diplomat 116 00:05:31,631 --> 00:05:35,635 and the first woman to be U.S. ambassador to Moscow. 117 00:05:35,635 --> 00:05:38,404 A second massive winter storm in as many weeks 118 00:05:38,404 --> 00:05:41,040 is rolling into the nation's midsection tonight. 119 00:05:41,040 --> 00:05:43,910 The system is on track to bring blizzard conditions 120 00:05:43,910 --> 00:05:46,546 to the northern plains and the Midwest 121 00:05:46,546 --> 00:05:50,216 and frigid conditions all the way to Florida by Friday. 122 00:05:50,216 --> 00:05:53,486 Heavy snow already blanketed parts of Washington state 123 00:05:53,486 --> 00:05:55,154 and western Canada. 124 00:05:55,154 --> 00:05:57,857 Some 200 million people across the U.S. 125 00:05:57,857 --> 00:06:01,060 are now under extreme weather alerts. 126 00:06:01,060 --> 00:06:03,996 Along the U.S. southern border, thousands of migrants 127 00:06:03,996 --> 00:06:06,265 waited again today looking for the end 128 00:06:06,265 --> 00:06:09,168 of a pandemic era ban on asylum. 129 00:06:09,168 --> 00:06:12,271 For now, the so-called Title 42 restrictions 130 00:06:12,271 --> 00:06:14,941 on legal protection once migrants enter, 131 00:06:14,941 --> 00:06:19,011 remain in force pending a U.S. Supreme Court ruling. 132 00:06:19,011 --> 00:06:21,514 In the meantime, many migrants have been camped out 133 00:06:21,514 --> 00:06:24,550 in the cold just inside Mexico. 134 00:06:24,550 --> 00:06:27,553 Some say they can't wait much longer. 135 00:06:27,553 --> 00:06:29,555 (Elis speaking in foreign language) 136 00:06:29,555 --> 00:06:30,923 - [Translator] I'm going to ask for permission 137 00:06:30,923 --> 00:06:32,792 to see if they let me enter legally, 138 00:06:32,792 --> 00:06:35,128 and if not then I'm gonna try to stay to see 139 00:06:35,128 --> 00:06:38,164 if they give me asylum and if not, then migrate. 140 00:06:38,164 --> 00:06:40,333 Because I wanted to get ahead for my children. 141 00:06:40,333 --> 00:06:43,736 And honestly, I've lost a lot of time already. 142 00:06:43,736 --> 00:06:46,172 - The Biden administration has asked the Supreme Court 143 00:06:46,172 --> 00:06:50,710 to let Title 42 lapse but not until after Christmas. 144 00:06:50,710 --> 00:06:53,212 States supporting the restrictions have warned 145 00:06:53,212 --> 00:06:57,216 that ending them would overwhelm services and shelters. 146 00:06:57,216 --> 00:06:59,352 In Britain, growing labor troubles 147 00:06:59,352 --> 00:07:02,455 became even more serious today as ambulance workers 148 00:07:02,455 --> 00:07:05,191 went on strike across England and Wales. 149 00:07:05,191 --> 00:07:08,561 They staged the one day walkout to demand better staffing 150 00:07:08,561 --> 00:07:12,165 and higher wages in the face of soaring inflation. 151 00:07:12,165 --> 00:07:16,169 Paramedics insisted they had still answer lifesaving calls. 152 00:07:16,169 --> 00:07:17,470 - Nobody takes this lightly. 153 00:07:17,470 --> 00:07:19,238 I've been talking to people inside, 154 00:07:20,206 --> 00:07:21,707 nobody wants to be on strike. 155 00:07:21,707 --> 00:07:24,777 We hate it like we don't want patients to suffer. 156 00:07:24,777 --> 00:07:25,945 I certainly don't. 157 00:07:25,945 --> 00:07:27,413 I'm not withdrawing my labor today 158 00:07:27,413 --> 00:07:29,482 but I thought it's important to stand in solidarity, 159 00:07:29,482 --> 00:07:31,184 send the message out. 160 00:07:31,184 --> 00:07:34,787 - The ambulance crews plan another one day strike next week. 161 00:07:34,787 --> 00:07:38,224 Nurses have already held two walkouts this month. 162 00:07:38,224 --> 00:07:40,393 Elon Musk now says that he is ready 163 00:07:40,393 --> 00:07:42,528 to let someone else run Twitter. 164 00:07:42,528 --> 00:07:46,566 That's after users asked him to step down in an online poll. 165 00:07:46,566 --> 00:07:50,203 Musk tweeted today that I will resign as CEO 166 00:07:50,203 --> 00:07:54,140 as soon as I find someone foolish enough to take the job. 167 00:07:54,140 --> 00:07:55,908 The billionaire's take over of Twitter 168 00:07:55,908 --> 00:08:00,847 with sudden policy shifts as unnerved users and advertisers. 169 00:08:02,215 --> 00:08:03,816 On Wall Street, stocks finally rallied on a report 170 00:08:03,816 --> 00:08:06,552 that showed consumer confidence improving. 171 00:08:06,552 --> 00:08:09,689 Major indexes were up 1.5% or better. 172 00:08:09,689 --> 00:08:13,359 The Dow Jones Industrial average gained 526 points 173 00:08:13,359 --> 00:08:16,462 to close at 33,376. 174 00:08:16,462 --> 00:08:21,467 The NASDAQ Rose 162 points, the S&P 500 added 56. 175 00:08:22,635 --> 00:08:25,538 And pro football great Franco Harris has died. 176 00:08:25,538 --> 00:08:27,573 He was a Hall of fame running back 177 00:08:27,573 --> 00:08:29,141 for the Pittsburgh Steelers 178 00:08:29,141 --> 00:08:32,278 who won four Super Bowls in the 1970s. 179 00:08:32,278 --> 00:08:35,615 In 1972, Harris made the legendary play 180 00:08:35,615 --> 00:08:37,917 dubbed The Immaculate Reception, 181 00:08:37,917 --> 00:08:41,787 scooping up a deflected last second pass to score 182 00:08:41,787 --> 00:08:44,056 and win a playoff game. 183 00:08:44,056 --> 00:08:47,393 Franco Harris was 72 years old. 184 00:08:47,393 --> 00:08:48,794 Still to come on the "NewsHour", 185 00:08:48,794 --> 00:08:51,564 Ukraine's president prepares to address Congress 186 00:08:51,564 --> 00:08:53,666 as the war grinds on. 187 00:08:53,666 --> 00:08:55,668 A congressional committee votes to release 188 00:08:55,668 --> 00:08:58,504 former President Trump's tax returns. 189 00:08:58,504 --> 00:09:03,242 Two film critics give their takes on the best movies of 2022 190 00:09:03,242 --> 00:09:04,544 plus much more. 191 00:09:08,748 --> 00:09:12,218 - [Announcer] This is the "PBS NewsHour" from WETA Studios 192 00:09:12,218 --> 00:09:13,853 in Washington and in the west 193 00:09:13,853 --> 00:09:16,055 from the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism 194 00:09:16,055 --> 00:09:17,757 at Arizona State University. 195 00:09:20,059 --> 00:09:23,863 - Late today, the January 6th Committee released transcripts 196 00:09:23,863 --> 00:09:27,533 of nearly three dozen of the more than 1,000 interviews 197 00:09:27,533 --> 00:09:30,903 they conducted during the 18-month long investigation 198 00:09:30,903 --> 00:09:34,473 into the capitol attack and President Trump's role. 199 00:09:34,473 --> 00:09:36,442 The Congressional Committee will be releasing 200 00:09:36,442 --> 00:09:38,377 its final report tomorrow. 201 00:09:38,377 --> 00:09:39,712 Jeff Bennett has more. 202 00:09:40,880 --> 00:09:42,381 - Judy, the reports released tomorrow 203 00:09:42,381 --> 00:09:43,883 comes after committee members 204 00:09:43,883 --> 00:09:46,218 held their final business hearing where they referred 205 00:09:46,218 --> 00:09:48,788 former President Donald Trump to the Department of Justice 206 00:09:48,788 --> 00:09:50,456 on four criminal charges; 207 00:09:50,456 --> 00:09:53,459 obstructing an official proceeding, making false statements, 208 00:09:53,459 --> 00:09:56,896 defrauding the U.S. and inciting and insurrection. 209 00:09:56,896 --> 00:09:59,999 Joining us to discuss what we can expect in the full report 210 00:09:59,999 --> 00:10:01,534 is January 6th Committee member, 211 00:10:01,534 --> 00:10:03,603 Democratic Congressman Jamie Raskin. 212 00:10:03,603 --> 00:10:04,804 It's good to have you with us. 213 00:10:04,804 --> 00:10:07,139 And congressman, we expected the full report 214 00:10:07,139 --> 00:10:08,207 to be released today. 215 00:10:08,207 --> 00:10:09,442 We learned late in the day 216 00:10:09,442 --> 00:10:11,344 that it's actually coming tomorrow. 217 00:10:11,344 --> 00:10:13,245 What accounts for the delay? 218 00:10:13,245 --> 00:10:15,648 - And I believe that there were printing issues 219 00:10:15,648 --> 00:10:17,350 at the government printing office 220 00:10:17,350 --> 00:10:19,518 and so it got pushed into the evening 221 00:10:19,518 --> 00:10:22,955 and we decided to just wait till tomorrow early in the day. 222 00:10:22,955 --> 00:10:25,291 - So when that full report does arrive, 223 00:10:25,291 --> 00:10:28,027 how will it to include the transcripts, 224 00:10:28,027 --> 00:10:29,495 all of the witness interviews, 225 00:10:29,495 --> 00:10:31,530 all of the underlying evidence gathered by your committee 226 00:10:31,530 --> 00:10:33,299 over the last 18 months. 227 00:10:33,299 --> 00:10:36,902 How will that full report expand the public knowledge, 228 00:10:36,902 --> 00:10:40,006 the public understanding of what transpired on January 6th 229 00:10:40,006 --> 00:10:42,742 and who ultimately bears responsibility? 230 00:10:42,742 --> 00:10:45,578 - Well, it will supply a lot of details and a lot of color 231 00:10:45,578 --> 00:10:47,079 to the basic elements of the story 232 00:10:47,079 --> 00:10:49,448 that the public I think already understands. 233 00:10:49,448 --> 00:10:51,150 We have a president of the United States 234 00:10:51,150 --> 00:10:53,152 who refused to take no for an answer 235 00:10:53,152 --> 00:10:56,656 from the American people who gave more than seven million 236 00:10:56,656 --> 00:10:59,425 more votes to Joe Biden than they did to Donald Trump. 237 00:10:59,425 --> 00:11:03,663 It was 306 to 232 in the electoral college. 238 00:11:03,663 --> 00:11:08,668 The same margin that Trump had defeated Hillary by in 2016 239 00:11:09,835 --> 00:11:11,804 which Trump had declared an absolute landslide 240 00:11:13,005 --> 00:11:14,674 but he wasn't going to take no for an answer. 241 00:11:14,674 --> 00:11:19,178 And so he began a multi-pronged assault on the election. 242 00:11:19,178 --> 00:11:21,514 He tried to get the legislatures to overturn it. 243 00:11:21,514 --> 00:11:26,385 So the whole story is told in detail in our report, 244 00:11:26,385 --> 00:11:27,853 that doesn't mean we got everything 245 00:11:27,853 --> 00:11:30,923 because there were a bunch of people who blew off 246 00:11:30,923 --> 00:11:34,627 their subpoenas or came in and took the Fifth Amendment 247 00:11:34,627 --> 00:11:37,496 but we certainly understand every basic element 248 00:11:37,496 --> 00:11:42,101 of the assault on democracy and how 150 of our officers 249 00:11:42,101 --> 00:11:45,471 came to be wounded and injured by the mob 250 00:11:45,471 --> 00:11:48,307 that Donald Trump whipped up on the ellipse. 251 00:11:48,307 --> 00:11:49,909 - A question about information sharing 252 00:11:49,909 --> 00:11:52,411 because the Justice Department has been conducting its own 253 00:11:52,411 --> 00:11:55,214 wide-ranging investigation into the insurrection 254 00:11:55,214 --> 00:11:57,349 and the efforts by Donald Trump and his allies 255 00:11:57,349 --> 00:11:58,884 to overturn the election. 256 00:11:58,884 --> 00:12:01,487 The January 6th Committee is now sharing evidence 257 00:12:01,487 --> 00:12:05,024 with federal prosecutors who for months were critical 258 00:12:05,024 --> 00:12:07,093 of the panel for refusing to send over 259 00:12:07,093 --> 00:12:09,795 witness interview transcripts and other information. 260 00:12:09,795 --> 00:12:14,166 Why not share that information earlier in the process? 261 00:12:14,166 --> 00:12:17,069 - Well, look, we were working on our own investigation 262 00:12:17,069 --> 00:12:19,205 and these things are enormously time consuming 263 00:12:19,205 --> 00:12:23,042 and our staff was overburdened and staggering 264 00:12:23,042 --> 00:12:25,778 under the weight of the work as it was. 265 00:12:25,778 --> 00:12:27,313 So we've gotten to the end, 266 00:12:27,313 --> 00:12:30,049 we've made it clear we were gonna turn over 267 00:12:30,049 --> 00:12:33,519 to the Department of Justice all relevant information 268 00:12:33,519 --> 00:12:34,987 that they're seeking. 269 00:12:34,987 --> 00:12:37,523 And indeed we want the whole public to be able to see 270 00:12:37,523 --> 00:12:42,328 exactly what we've learned from this bipartisan inquiry 271 00:12:43,929 --> 00:12:47,933 into the worst violent domestic assault 272 00:12:47,933 --> 00:12:50,736 on the peaceful transfer of power and Congress 273 00:12:50,736 --> 00:12:52,938 and the vice president in our history. 274 00:12:52,938 --> 00:12:55,341 - As you mentioned, the January 6th Committee referred 275 00:12:55,341 --> 00:12:57,510 four members of Congress, all Republicans, 276 00:12:57,510 --> 00:12:58,811 to the House Ethics Committee 277 00:12:58,811 --> 00:13:00,780 for ignoring congressional subpoenas. 278 00:13:00,780 --> 00:13:03,516 The Ethics Committee is unique in that the membership 279 00:13:03,516 --> 00:13:06,619 is evenly divided between each political party, 280 00:13:06,619 --> 00:13:09,455 an equal number of Republicans and Democrats. 281 00:13:09,455 --> 00:13:11,624 Still, Republicans are set to take control of the House 282 00:13:11,624 --> 00:13:12,958 in a couple of weeks time. 283 00:13:12,958 --> 00:13:15,194 Do you expect this committee to operate 284 00:13:15,194 --> 00:13:18,597 in a nonpartisan fashion regarding these referrals? 285 00:13:19,799 --> 00:13:21,901 - Well, no, I wouldn't expect them to operate 286 00:13:21,901 --> 00:13:23,335 in a nonpartisan fashion. 287 00:13:23,335 --> 00:13:26,505 I would expect them to operate in a bipartisan fashion 288 00:13:26,505 --> 00:13:29,408 because I'm realistic about that. 289 00:13:29,408 --> 00:13:33,379 But I do think that there's a profound problem that is posed 290 00:13:33,379 --> 00:13:37,316 by members of Congress who receive a congressional subpoena 291 00:13:37,316 --> 00:13:39,752 to come and to give information and to testify 292 00:13:39,752 --> 00:13:42,054 about what they know, who just blow it off 293 00:13:42,054 --> 00:13:43,823 and refuse to do that. 294 00:13:43,823 --> 00:13:46,192 That's a very serious problem. 295 00:13:46,192 --> 00:13:50,062 Congress issues subpoenas and we expect people to comply 296 00:13:50,062 --> 00:13:51,897 with them under the rule of law. 297 00:13:51,897 --> 00:13:55,835 What does it do to the credibility of Congress 298 00:13:55,835 --> 00:13:58,404 and our ability to enforce our own subpoenas 299 00:13:58,404 --> 00:14:01,207 if we have members of Congress who don't even respect 300 00:14:01,207 --> 00:14:03,209 that process enough to show up 301 00:14:03,209 --> 00:14:07,112 and at least to assert some kind of legal immunity 302 00:14:07,112 --> 00:14:10,783 or constitutional privilege if they think they've got it. 303 00:14:10,783 --> 00:14:12,918 - Lastly, the executive summary 304 00:14:12,918 --> 00:14:14,420 of the committee's spinal report, 305 00:14:14,420 --> 00:14:16,522 the executive summary that came out this past week, 306 00:14:16,522 --> 00:14:19,291 it doesn't address questions of why the FBI, 307 00:14:19,291 --> 00:14:22,561 why U.S. Capitol Police and other law enforcement agencies 308 00:14:22,561 --> 00:14:25,831 didn't do more to increase security on that day. 309 00:14:25,831 --> 00:14:28,500 Will we get more clarity on that issue 310 00:14:28,500 --> 00:14:30,469 when the final report comes out? 311 00:14:30,469 --> 00:14:33,305 - Yeah, the final report has a lot more detail on analysis 312 00:14:33,305 --> 00:14:37,610 of different things that people said about that. 313 00:14:37,610 --> 00:14:40,212 There clearly was information coming in 314 00:14:40,212 --> 00:14:43,816 through different law enforcement and intelligence channels 315 00:14:43,816 --> 00:14:48,821 that there were going to be large numbers of people 316 00:14:49,955 --> 00:14:51,924 coming to Washington and many of them 317 00:14:51,924 --> 00:14:53,893 on the extremist websites were saying 318 00:14:53,893 --> 00:14:57,630 that they wanted to storm the Capitol or attack the Capitol 319 00:14:57,630 --> 00:15:01,166 or attack officers and so on. 320 00:15:01,166 --> 00:15:03,769 And of course, the president of the United States ultimately 321 00:15:03,769 --> 00:15:06,472 is the chief of the executive branch of government 322 00:15:06,472 --> 00:15:10,409 but he had no interest in defending us in this case 323 00:15:10,409 --> 00:15:12,144 as we saw on January 6th itself 324 00:15:12,144 --> 00:15:14,680 when the riot was actually underway, 325 00:15:14,680 --> 00:15:18,350 the attack on his own vice president and members of Congress 326 00:15:18,350 --> 00:15:20,219 was underway and he did nothing. 327 00:15:20,219 --> 00:15:22,721 He didn't get in touch with the FBI, 328 00:15:22,721 --> 00:15:24,490 didn't get in touch with the joint chiefs of staff, 329 00:15:24,490 --> 00:15:26,759 he didn't get in touch with the police and so on. 330 00:15:26,759 --> 00:15:29,261 So clearly he wasn't doing anything before that. 331 00:15:29,261 --> 00:15:32,765 And then other different individuals did different things 332 00:15:32,765 --> 00:15:35,301 and we discuss it but overall, 333 00:15:35,301 --> 00:15:38,103 it was simply not up to the task of dealing with 334 00:15:38,103 --> 00:15:39,438 the size of the crowd, 335 00:15:39,438 --> 00:15:42,341 the mob that came to attack the Capitol 336 00:15:42,341 --> 00:15:46,078 as incited by Donald Trump. 337 00:15:46,078 --> 00:15:49,081 And so that's a serious problem that we'll have to look at. 338 00:15:49,081 --> 00:15:53,485 None of that absolves or exonerates Donald Trump in any way 339 00:15:53,485 --> 00:15:56,689 of what he did because he was the one who unleashed 340 00:15:56,689 --> 00:15:58,157 the whole sequence of events. 341 00:15:58,157 --> 00:16:01,393 He called for the rally right at the exact same time 342 00:16:01,393 --> 00:16:03,262 Congress was meeting in the joint session 343 00:16:03,262 --> 00:16:04,496 under the 12th Amendment. 344 00:16:04,496 --> 00:16:07,499 He urged everybody to come for a wild protest 345 00:16:07,499 --> 00:16:10,035 and became the first president in American history 346 00:16:10,035 --> 00:16:13,706 to try to assemble a crowd quickly to become a mob, 347 00:16:13,706 --> 00:16:16,041 to attack the peaceful transfer of power. 348 00:16:16,041 --> 00:16:18,610 So he's the one who's responsible for it. 349 00:16:18,610 --> 00:16:21,714 It's like a bank robbery where you've got a mastermind 350 00:16:21,714 --> 00:16:24,750 of a bank robbery take place and the bank is robbed 351 00:16:24,750 --> 00:16:26,952 and then you ask questions afterwards about, 352 00:16:26,952 --> 00:16:29,989 well, were there people who are somehow cooperating with it 353 00:16:29,989 --> 00:16:31,223 or were there people 354 00:16:31,223 --> 00:16:33,225 who should have done something differently? 355 00:16:33,225 --> 00:16:35,327 How could we fortify ourselves in the future? 356 00:16:35,327 --> 00:16:38,430 All those are legitimate questions but none of them absolve 357 00:16:38,430 --> 00:16:41,600 Donald Trump of his central culpability in this matter. 358 00:16:41,600 --> 00:16:43,235 - Democratic Congressman Jamie Raskin, 359 00:16:43,235 --> 00:16:45,904 member of the January 6th Congressional Committee, 360 00:16:45,904 --> 00:16:47,406 thanks as always for your time. 361 00:16:47,406 --> 00:16:48,640 - You bet. 362 00:16:48,640 --> 00:16:51,877 (bright upbeat music) 363 00:17:00,352 --> 00:17:02,421 - We return now to our top story tonight, 364 00:17:02,421 --> 00:17:05,791 Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's surprise trip 365 00:17:05,791 --> 00:17:07,059 to Washington. 366 00:17:07,059 --> 00:17:09,128 He met earlier today with President Biden 367 00:17:09,128 --> 00:17:10,662 at The White House. 368 00:17:10,662 --> 00:17:13,565 And for more on their meeting, we're joined by Amanda Sloat, 369 00:17:13,565 --> 00:17:16,668 she is the National Security Council Senior Director 370 00:17:16,668 --> 00:17:18,137 for Europe. 371 00:17:18,137 --> 00:17:20,806 Amanda Sloat, hello, welcome back to the "NewsHour". 372 00:17:20,806 --> 00:17:23,876 So we know some of this trip was certainly symbolic 373 00:17:23,876 --> 00:17:26,412 to thank the President, to thank the American people, 374 00:17:26,412 --> 00:17:29,748 but we also know it was about talking to the president 375 00:17:29,748 --> 00:17:32,384 and others about needing more help. 376 00:17:32,384 --> 00:17:34,686 How would you split up the purpose of it? 377 00:17:36,088 --> 00:17:38,390 - I think it certainly did both of those things. 378 00:17:38,390 --> 00:17:40,692 President Biden spoke to this in the press conference 379 00:17:40,692 --> 00:17:43,529 saying that nothing beats face-to-face interaction 380 00:17:43,529 --> 00:17:44,930 with fellow leaders. 381 00:17:44,930 --> 00:17:46,098 President Zelenskyy of course, 382 00:17:46,098 --> 00:17:47,833 was here in Washington last September. 383 00:17:47,833 --> 00:17:49,968 The two presidents have had a number of phone calls 384 00:17:49,968 --> 00:17:52,504 throughout the course of the war but this was the first time 385 00:17:52,504 --> 00:17:54,440 for them to be able to speak face-to-face. 386 00:17:54,440 --> 00:17:57,242 And I think it was really important for President Zelenskyy 387 00:17:57,242 --> 00:17:59,778 to be able to check in with President Biden to discuss 388 00:17:59,778 --> 00:18:02,748 the progress that his forces have made on the battlefield, 389 00:18:02,748 --> 00:18:04,450 to discuss the security assistance 390 00:18:04,450 --> 00:18:06,285 that the United States has been providing 391 00:18:06,285 --> 00:18:08,654 and how that has been helping Ukrainian forces 392 00:18:08,654 --> 00:18:11,223 and then to talk about the way forward. 393 00:18:11,223 --> 00:18:13,192 - We just spoke a few minutes ago on the program 394 00:18:13,192 --> 00:18:17,129 with two analysts who talked about what they understand 395 00:18:17,129 --> 00:18:19,631 to be what the Ukrainians are asking for, 396 00:18:19,631 --> 00:18:24,636 both more air defense, help and more offensive capability. 397 00:18:25,571 --> 00:18:27,473 How would you break that down? 398 00:18:27,473 --> 00:18:28,974 I mean, what are they asking for 399 00:18:28,974 --> 00:18:32,377 and what is the administration prepared to consider? 400 00:18:32,377 --> 00:18:35,214 - I think President Zelenskyy's main message in the meeting 401 00:18:35,214 --> 00:18:37,483 to President Biden and I think his message 402 00:18:37,483 --> 00:18:40,085 in Congress tonight was of one of appreciation 403 00:18:40,085 --> 00:18:42,321 for all of the support that had been given. 404 00:18:42,321 --> 00:18:45,491 As President Zelenskyy made clear in the press conference, 405 00:18:45,491 --> 00:18:48,794 he sees this victory as very much a joint one 406 00:18:48,794 --> 00:18:51,196 with his forces on the ground and the security assistance 407 00:18:51,196 --> 00:18:52,531 from the United States. 408 00:18:52,531 --> 00:18:55,134 We have been focused throughout this conflict 409 00:18:55,134 --> 00:18:57,569 on ensuring that the security assistance we provide 410 00:18:57,569 --> 00:19:00,139 meets the needs of the Ukrainian forces on the ground 411 00:19:00,139 --> 00:19:01,640 as the war evolves. 412 00:19:01,640 --> 00:19:04,243 And certainly as Russia has stepped up its brutal attacks 413 00:19:04,243 --> 00:19:06,245 on Ukraine's critical infrastructure, 414 00:19:06,245 --> 00:19:08,680 air defense has become ever more important. 415 00:19:08,680 --> 00:19:10,949 So this is a capability that we have been working 416 00:19:10,949 --> 00:19:13,318 to give the Ukrainians and today's announcement 417 00:19:13,318 --> 00:19:15,154 by the President of a Patriot battery 418 00:19:15,154 --> 00:19:17,289 certainly is a big component of that 419 00:19:17,289 --> 00:19:20,092 as well as a renewed commitment to continue engaging 420 00:19:20,092 --> 00:19:22,961 our allies and partners to provide that. 421 00:19:22,961 --> 00:19:25,797 The nearly $2 billion security assistance package 422 00:19:25,797 --> 00:19:29,835 announced today also includes more ammunition and artillery. 423 00:19:29,835 --> 00:19:33,138 So today's package was a step toward addressing their needs 424 00:19:33,138 --> 00:19:36,375 both on the defensive side as well as on the artillery 425 00:19:36,375 --> 00:19:37,843 and ammunition side as well. 426 00:19:37,843 --> 00:19:41,680 - Well, the Patriot systems certainly do address their needs 427 00:19:41,680 --> 00:19:44,416 what they say are their needs on the defensive side. 428 00:19:44,416 --> 00:19:46,118 How much further though 429 00:19:46,118 --> 00:19:48,587 is the administration prepared to go? 430 00:19:48,587 --> 00:19:53,058 At one point today, President Biden at that news conference, 431 00:19:53,058 --> 00:19:57,996 spoke about providing longer range weaponry 432 00:19:57,996 --> 00:20:00,899 risk breaking up NATO. 433 00:20:00,899 --> 00:20:04,336 To what extent is that a concern for The White House? 434 00:20:05,737 --> 00:20:07,973 - So we have continued to adjust the security assistance 435 00:20:07,973 --> 00:20:10,209 that we have provided to meet the needs on the ground. 436 00:20:10,209 --> 00:20:13,145 If you remember back 300 days ago when this war started, 437 00:20:13,145 --> 00:20:15,714 it was Russian tanks that were rolling towards Kyiv 438 00:20:15,714 --> 00:20:18,150 and at that point providing anti-tank 439 00:20:18,150 --> 00:20:21,019 and anti Armour systems was what the Ukrainians needed 440 00:20:21,019 --> 00:20:22,487 and that was what we've provided. 441 00:20:22,487 --> 00:20:25,190 And certainly the war has continued to evolve. 442 00:20:25,190 --> 00:20:26,858 Part of the security assistance package 443 00:20:26,858 --> 00:20:30,028 that we provided today included new capabilities 444 00:20:30,028 --> 00:20:32,965 including these aerial precision munitions 445 00:20:32,965 --> 00:20:36,301 which does give the Ukrainians an additional tool 446 00:20:36,301 --> 00:20:38,403 in their arsenal which is gonna help them 447 00:20:38,403 --> 00:20:39,871 on the battlefield. 448 00:20:39,871 --> 00:20:42,274 - Is it fair to say Amanda Sloat that there are 449 00:20:42,274 --> 00:20:45,978 ongoing conversations though about beefing that up, 450 00:20:45,978 --> 00:20:48,747 about doing more for the Ukrainians as they think about 451 00:20:48,747 --> 00:20:52,985 wanting to strike deeper into the Russian front? 452 00:20:54,419 --> 00:20:56,989 - So far we have seen the Ukrainians make very good use 453 00:20:56,989 --> 00:20:59,057 of the capabilities that we have been giving them 454 00:20:59,057 --> 00:21:03,962 including these HIMARS and Gimlet systems and ammunitions. 455 00:21:05,430 --> 00:21:07,065 And we committed in today's security assistance package 456 00:21:07,065 --> 00:21:08,333 to give them more of that. 457 00:21:08,333 --> 00:21:10,869 But certainly as we have throughout the conflict, 458 00:21:10,869 --> 00:21:13,038 we will continue very active conversations 459 00:21:13,038 --> 00:21:17,676 with the Ukrainians as the situation on the field evolves. 460 00:21:17,676 --> 00:21:19,544 - So it it sounds like at this point, 461 00:21:19,544 --> 00:21:21,747 the administration's not prepared to say 462 00:21:21,747 --> 00:21:23,749 what might be possible down the road 463 00:21:23,749 --> 00:21:26,818 because it's pretty clear the Ukrainians are asking for more 464 00:21:26,818 --> 00:21:27,919 as time goes by. 465 00:21:29,254 --> 00:21:31,423 - You know, today we announced one of our biggest 466 00:21:31,423 --> 00:21:34,693 security assistance packages to date continuing to work 467 00:21:34,693 --> 00:21:37,696 with Congress as they finalize the supplemental budget 468 00:21:37,696 --> 00:21:39,398 which will hopefully continue to give us 469 00:21:39,398 --> 00:21:41,533 the security assistance funds that we need 470 00:21:41,533 --> 00:21:43,268 to go into the year. 471 00:21:43,268 --> 00:21:45,404 We will continue providing the Ukrainians 472 00:21:45,404 --> 00:21:48,607 with the assistance that they need on the battlefields 473 00:21:48,607 --> 00:21:50,509 and will continue to remain in close touch 474 00:21:50,509 --> 00:21:52,844 with their military as we have been. 475 00:21:52,844 --> 00:21:55,480 As the situation evolves, their needs evolves 476 00:21:55,480 --> 00:21:57,649 and the counter offensives continue into the winter 477 00:21:57,649 --> 00:21:59,785 and then the following months. 478 00:21:59,785 --> 00:22:02,254 - To what extent is President Biden, 479 00:22:02,254 --> 00:22:07,259 is the administration concerned about support at some point 480 00:22:08,827 --> 00:22:12,397 weakening for the war that Ukraine is waging against Russia, 481 00:22:13,799 --> 00:22:17,703 it's now been almost a year, it will be in February, 482 00:22:17,703 --> 00:22:20,739 how deep are the frankly, 483 00:22:20,739 --> 00:22:24,509 American pockets to continue to support the war? 484 00:22:25,944 --> 00:22:28,146 - President Biden has been clear from the beginning 485 00:22:28,146 --> 00:22:30,749 and he reaffirmed that both privately and publicly 486 00:22:30,749 --> 00:22:32,784 to President Zelenskyy that the United States 487 00:22:32,784 --> 00:22:35,153 is gonna continue to support and stand with Ukraine 488 00:22:35,153 --> 00:22:36,655 as long as it takes. 489 00:22:36,655 --> 00:22:39,157 I don't wanna get ahead of the congressional deliberations 490 00:22:39,157 --> 00:22:42,928 but certainly they have been working on a very sizable 491 00:22:42,928 --> 00:22:45,330 package of funding that would enable the administration 492 00:22:45,330 --> 00:22:47,232 to continue supporting the Ukrainians 493 00:22:47,232 --> 00:22:49,301 in terms of their security assistance needs 494 00:22:49,301 --> 00:22:53,171 as well as their economic needs and humanitarian side. 495 00:22:53,171 --> 00:22:55,474 So to date, we continue to have very strong 496 00:22:55,474 --> 00:22:58,577 bipartisan support for Ukraine and for their cause 497 00:22:58,577 --> 00:23:01,747 and we remain confident here that that's going to continue. 498 00:23:01,747 --> 00:23:03,815 - As I mentioned, you're the National Security Council 499 00:23:03,815 --> 00:23:05,384 senior person for Europe. 500 00:23:06,718 --> 00:23:09,388 It's clear that the Europeans are not doing as much 501 00:23:09,388 --> 00:23:12,124 for Ukraine as the Americans have been. 502 00:23:12,124 --> 00:23:14,559 They've certainly provided some support, 503 00:23:14,559 --> 00:23:17,362 what kind of conversations is the administration having 504 00:23:17,362 --> 00:23:20,232 with Europeans about doing more? 505 00:23:21,533 --> 00:23:23,335 - The Europeans certainly have stepped up 506 00:23:23,335 --> 00:23:25,370 to help the Ukrainians. 507 00:23:25,370 --> 00:23:27,205 It is certainly true that the United States 508 00:23:27,205 --> 00:23:29,541 is the biggest provider of security assistance 509 00:23:29,541 --> 00:23:31,676 but there's a large number of countries in Europe 510 00:23:31,676 --> 00:23:34,446 and more broadly that have also contributed capabilities 511 00:23:34,446 --> 00:23:36,014 to the Ukrainians. 512 00:23:36,014 --> 00:23:39,084 The Europeans certainly have borne the brunt 513 00:23:39,084 --> 00:23:40,552 of the refugee crisis. 514 00:23:40,552 --> 00:23:45,357 Many of them are housing upwards of millions of Ukrainians. 515 00:23:45,357 --> 00:23:47,826 They have also been a very strong partner 516 00:23:47,826 --> 00:23:50,962 in terms of the implementation of sanctions and again, 517 00:23:50,962 --> 00:23:53,298 with some of their economic impacts have really borne 518 00:23:53,298 --> 00:23:57,002 the economic costs of that and have continued to do things 519 00:23:57,002 --> 00:23:59,137 on the energy front as well. 520 00:23:59,137 --> 00:24:02,374 We convened a Ukraine Defense Contact Group 521 00:24:02,374 --> 00:24:05,644 that meets regularly and as part of today's announcement, 522 00:24:05,644 --> 00:24:08,680 we'll be continuing to encourage our allies and partners, 523 00:24:08,680 --> 00:24:10,816 especially on the air defense side, 524 00:24:10,816 --> 00:24:13,552 as well as to continue providing them with the artillery, 525 00:24:13,552 --> 00:24:16,555 the ammunition and other capabilities that they need. 526 00:24:16,555 --> 00:24:18,924 - Last thing I do wanna ask you about Vladimir Putin, 527 00:24:18,924 --> 00:24:22,494 he's given no indication that he's prepared to slow down, 528 00:24:22,494 --> 00:24:25,931 that he's just prepared to push and push as long as it takes 529 00:24:25,931 --> 00:24:28,633 from his perspective. 530 00:24:28,633 --> 00:24:30,802 But do you see, is there any knowledge 531 00:24:30,802 --> 00:24:33,305 the administration has, any intelligence, 532 00:24:33,305 --> 00:24:36,007 that there's some light at the end of this tunnel 533 00:24:36,007 --> 00:24:40,312 or is it just flat out conflict as far as the eye can see? 534 00:24:41,646 --> 00:24:45,116 - Certainly nothing that President Putin has said or done 535 00:24:45,116 --> 00:24:47,385 gives any indication that he is prepared 536 00:24:47,385 --> 00:24:49,387 to end this conflict anytime soon. 537 00:24:49,387 --> 00:24:52,257 We are seeing this with continued stepped up brutal attacks 538 00:24:52,257 --> 00:24:57,162 on civilian infrastructure and Ukraine's energy grid, 539 00:24:57,162 --> 00:24:59,731 especially heading into to winter. 540 00:24:59,731 --> 00:25:02,467 So we remain committed to supporting Ukraine 541 00:25:02,467 --> 00:25:04,436 with the security assistance that it needs 542 00:25:04,436 --> 00:25:07,239 and we also support President Zelenskyy's 543 00:25:07,239 --> 00:25:10,342 continued public conversation about a just peace 544 00:25:10,342 --> 00:25:12,744 and what he sees as the essential principles 545 00:25:12,744 --> 00:25:16,114 that would be needed to bring this war to a close 546 00:25:16,114 --> 00:25:18,216 in a way that would be just. 547 00:25:19,384 --> 00:25:20,886 - [Judy] Well, we are going to leave it there. 548 00:25:20,886 --> 00:25:23,722 Amanda Sloat who is the National Security Council 549 00:25:23,722 --> 00:25:25,390 Senior Director for Europe. 550 00:25:25,390 --> 00:25:27,792 Thank you very much for joining us. 551 00:25:27,792 --> 00:25:28,894 - Thank you. 552 00:25:28,894 --> 00:25:32,163 (bright upbeat music) 553 00:25:38,103 --> 00:25:41,072 - As we reported earlier, Ukraine's President Zelenskyy 554 00:25:41,072 --> 00:25:43,742 is about to address the U.S. Congress. 555 00:25:43,742 --> 00:25:46,378 We are going to give stations who are airing "NewsHour" 556 00:25:46,378 --> 00:25:48,580 at another time a chance to join 557 00:25:48,580 --> 00:25:51,049 so we'll be back momentarily. 558 00:25:51,049 --> 00:25:52,517 - [Narrator] The "PBS NewsHour", 559 00:25:52,517 --> 00:25:54,786 putting questions to those in power. 560 00:25:54,786 --> 00:25:57,255 - We're in the fourth wave, there aren't enough tests, 561 00:25:57,255 --> 00:25:58,823 is it time for a new approach. 562 00:25:58,823 --> 00:26:01,126 - [Narrator] Providing insight into big issues? 563 00:26:01,126 --> 00:26:03,762 - The speech in many ways sets the foundation for Democrats 564 00:26:03,762 --> 00:26:06,364 as they renew their push for voting rights. 565 00:26:06,364 --> 00:26:08,667 - [Narrator] Focusing on under-reported issues. 566 00:26:08,667 --> 00:26:10,468 - What are these girls missing 567 00:26:10,468 --> 00:26:11,703 while their mothers are in prison 568 00:26:11,703 --> 00:26:13,204 that you're tryna help them get? 569 00:26:13,204 --> 00:26:16,675 - [Narrator] Weeknights on your PBS station and online. 570 00:26:16,675 --> 00:26:19,844 (bright upbeat music) 571 00:26:26,217 --> 00:26:29,387 (bright upbeat music) 572 00:26:36,294 --> 00:26:39,464 (bright upbeat music) 573 00:26:46,371 --> 00:26:49,541 (bright upbeat music) 574 00:26:56,481 --> 00:26:59,751 (bright upbeat music) 575 00:27:08,893 --> 00:27:10,428 - [Announcer] This program was made possible 576 00:27:10,428 --> 00:27:12,664 by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting 577 00:27:12,664 --> 00:27:15,266 and by contributions to your PBS station 578 00:27:15,266 --> 00:27:16,901 from viewers like you. 579 00:27:16,901 --> 00:27:18,670 Thank you. 580 00:27:18,670 --> 00:27:21,940 (bright upbeat music) 581 00:27:30,949 --> 00:27:35,020 - Good evening and welcome to this "PBS NewsHour" special, 582 00:27:35,020 --> 00:27:37,489 President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's address 583 00:27:37,489 --> 00:27:39,057 to the United States Congress. 584 00:27:39,057 --> 00:27:40,358 I'm Judy Woodruff. 585 00:27:40,358 --> 00:27:42,927 The president of Ukraine landed in Washington 586 00:27:42,927 --> 00:27:46,231 a few hours ago, his first trip out of Ukraine 587 00:27:46,231 --> 00:27:48,833 since the Russian invasion in late February. 588 00:27:48,833 --> 00:27:52,237 He met with President Biden at the White House earlier 589 00:27:52,237 --> 00:27:54,472 and at a press conference afterward, 590 00:27:54,472 --> 00:27:59,210 Mr. Biden said that the $1.8 billion in additional aid, 591 00:27:59,210 --> 00:28:02,480 Patriot missiles and precision-guided bombs 592 00:28:02,480 --> 00:28:04,449 that the U.S. providing Ukraine 593 00:28:04,449 --> 00:28:06,317 would send a powerful message 594 00:28:06,317 --> 00:28:09,054 to Russia's President Vladimir Putin. 595 00:28:09,054 --> 00:28:12,691 Shortly, President Zelenskyy will address a joint meeting 596 00:28:12,691 --> 00:28:13,958 of Congress. 597 00:28:13,958 --> 00:28:15,360 You can see these live pictures now 598 00:28:15,360 --> 00:28:17,796 from the House of Representatives. 599 00:28:17,796 --> 00:28:20,465 We are waiting for President Zelenskyy to arrive. 600 00:28:20,465 --> 00:28:22,834 We are told and you can see it here 601 00:28:22,834 --> 00:28:26,037 in this live video picture, 602 00:28:26,037 --> 00:28:27,872 that members of Congress are gathered, 603 00:28:27,872 --> 00:28:29,340 a number of them in the aisles 604 00:28:29,340 --> 00:28:32,844 waiting to greet President Zelenskyy, 605 00:28:32,844 --> 00:28:35,113 pretty much to give him a hero's welcome 606 00:28:35,113 --> 00:28:38,183 given the way the Ukrainian people 607 00:28:38,183 --> 00:28:42,287 and he as head of government have conducted this war, 608 00:28:42,287 --> 00:28:46,191 surprising the Russians making this a much, much tougher 609 00:28:46,191 --> 00:28:49,294 challenge than the Russians expected at the beginning. 610 00:28:49,294 --> 00:28:51,830 You can see them lined up there in the isles 611 00:28:51,830 --> 00:28:53,865 of the House of Representatives. 612 00:28:53,865 --> 00:28:56,968 So as we wait for President Zelenskyy to enter 613 00:28:56,968 --> 00:28:59,971 the House chamber, I am joined by two guests. 614 00:28:59,971 --> 00:29:02,373 They are retired Lieutenant General Douglas Lute. 615 00:29:02,373 --> 00:29:04,809 He had a 35 year career in the Army. 616 00:29:04,809 --> 00:29:07,579 He served on the National Security Council staff 617 00:29:07,579 --> 00:29:11,349 during the George W. Bush and the Obama administrations. 618 00:29:11,349 --> 00:29:13,151 And Stephen Sestanovich, 619 00:29:13,151 --> 00:29:15,720 he's a professor at Columbia University 620 00:29:15,720 --> 00:29:19,124 and a senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations. 621 00:29:19,124 --> 00:29:22,494 He was ambassador at large for the former Soviet Union 622 00:29:22,494 --> 00:29:24,262 during the Clinton administration. 623 00:29:24,262 --> 00:29:25,530 Welcome to both of you. 624 00:29:25,530 --> 00:29:28,166 We're gonna keep focused on those pictures 625 00:29:28,166 --> 00:29:30,435 in the House chamber so we can see 626 00:29:30,435 --> 00:29:33,071 as President Zelenskyy enters. 627 00:29:33,071 --> 00:29:35,073 But Steve Sestanovich, let me start with you. 628 00:29:35,073 --> 00:29:37,942 We see House speaker Nancy Pelosi of course, 629 00:29:37,942 --> 00:29:41,379 and Vice President Kamala Harris there at the dais 630 00:29:41,379 --> 00:29:43,481 waiting to greet President Zelenskyy. 631 00:29:43,481 --> 00:29:47,418 Steve Sestanovich, what's the purpose seen of this visit 632 00:29:47,418 --> 00:29:50,221 by President Zelenskyy? 633 00:29:50,221 --> 00:29:52,524 - Well, Zelenskyy comes to town 634 00:29:52,524 --> 00:29:55,693 in order to get a hero's welcome. 635 00:29:55,693 --> 00:29:59,697 He's gonna get that from the Congress. 636 00:29:59,697 --> 00:30:03,101 He also wants to deflect pressure 637 00:30:03,101 --> 00:30:06,437 from some parts of Congress to reduce assistance. 638 00:30:06,437 --> 00:30:08,706 And we shouldn't forget this, 639 00:30:08,706 --> 00:30:11,943 he also wants to encourage Congress to push 640 00:30:11,943 --> 00:30:14,712 the administration for more assistance 641 00:30:14,712 --> 00:30:17,115 because there are plenty of members of Congress 642 00:30:17,115 --> 00:30:20,418 who think the administration is being too slow, 643 00:30:20,418 --> 00:30:22,053 they're too cautious 644 00:30:22,053 --> 00:30:25,623 and he wants them to tell the administration, 645 00:30:25,623 --> 00:30:26,991 look, let's get on with it. 646 00:30:26,991 --> 00:30:30,662 We need to support the Ukrainians against the Russians. 647 00:30:30,662 --> 00:30:34,566 - And Doug Lute, you talked to members of Congress 648 00:30:34,566 --> 00:30:36,267 I know a good deal. 649 00:30:36,267 --> 00:30:40,505 You've been dealing with the stresses and strains 650 00:30:40,505 --> 00:30:44,209 and tensions between a White House and a Congress. 651 00:30:44,209 --> 00:30:48,680 What kind of conversations could President Zelenskyy have 652 00:30:48,680 --> 00:30:49,981 while he is here? 653 00:30:49,981 --> 00:30:52,016 We don't know every detail of the visit 654 00:30:52,016 --> 00:30:54,652 but are those the kinds of conversations 655 00:30:54,652 --> 00:30:56,688 that could make a difference, Doug Lute? 656 00:30:56,688 --> 00:30:59,457 - I think absolutely and especially right now, Judy, 657 00:30:59,457 --> 00:31:02,994 because of course, in these last days of this congress 658 00:31:02,994 --> 00:31:04,229 before the Christmas holiday 659 00:31:04,229 --> 00:31:07,098 and then eventually the change of Congress 660 00:31:07,098 --> 00:31:08,666 with the New Year, there's a omnibus 661 00:31:08,666 --> 00:31:12,704 or overall spending bill pending congressional approval. 662 00:31:12,704 --> 00:31:17,709 In that bill is 45 billion additional dollars 663 00:31:18,576 --> 00:31:20,178 of assistance to Ukraine. 664 00:31:20,178 --> 00:31:23,982 So the most tactical, immediate payoff of this visit 665 00:31:23,982 --> 00:31:26,517 to the joint session this evening, 666 00:31:26,517 --> 00:31:29,988 is to put pressure on approval for that spend. 667 00:31:29,988 --> 00:31:33,758 - And so, just staying with you for a moment, Doug Lute, 668 00:31:35,059 --> 00:31:37,295 are we saying that just the very fact 669 00:31:37,295 --> 00:31:39,397 that President Zelenskyy is here, 670 00:31:39,397 --> 00:31:42,533 that he's making these remarks to the Congress, 671 00:31:42,533 --> 00:31:44,569 are you saying that could make a difference? 672 00:31:44,569 --> 00:31:45,536 - Absolutely. 673 00:31:45,536 --> 00:31:47,005 I mean, President Zelenskyy 674 00:31:47,005 --> 00:31:48,973 and we're all about to see this, right? 675 00:31:48,973 --> 00:31:50,508 Up close and personal. 676 00:31:50,508 --> 00:31:55,013 He is very authentic, he is genuine, he is persuasive. 677 00:31:55,013 --> 00:31:57,382 He's an iconic wartime leader, 678 00:31:57,382 --> 00:32:00,485 that's gonna make an impression on the members of Congress. 679 00:32:00,485 --> 00:32:02,587 - And Steve Sestanovich, we're used to seeing 680 00:32:02,587 --> 00:32:04,923 these live scenes from the House of Representatives 681 00:32:04,923 --> 00:32:07,692 waiting for a president to come down the aisle. 682 00:32:07,692 --> 00:32:10,194 It's typically a president of the United States, 683 00:32:10,194 --> 00:32:14,699 it's not normal for the Congress to open its doors 684 00:32:14,699 --> 00:32:16,768 and welcome a foreign leader. 685 00:32:16,768 --> 00:32:19,270 But this is an a case where the United States 686 00:32:19,270 --> 00:32:23,408 has backed this conflict, this war, has backed Ukraine 687 00:32:23,408 --> 00:32:27,145 from the very beginning and even before that. 688 00:32:27,145 --> 00:32:29,480 So this is really the first opportunity 689 00:32:29,480 --> 00:32:32,517 the members of Congress have had to hear from him in person. 690 00:32:32,517 --> 00:32:36,688 He's addressed the Congress virtually from Ukraine 691 00:32:36,688 --> 00:32:38,623 but this is the first time in person 692 00:32:38,623 --> 00:32:42,193 so there's almost an air of excitement, isn't there? 693 00:32:42,193 --> 00:32:43,428 - Oh, for sure. 694 00:32:43,428 --> 00:32:46,331 That's why you've got so many members dressed 695 00:32:46,331 --> 00:32:50,768 in Ukrainian colors, yellow and blue. 696 00:32:50,768 --> 00:32:52,570 I'm kind of surprised that the speaker 697 00:32:52,570 --> 00:32:56,908 and the vice president aren't in Ukrainian colors. 698 00:32:56,908 --> 00:33:01,813 This is the kind of event that the Congress has been staging 699 00:33:03,314 --> 00:33:08,186 for 80 years since Winston Churchill has spoke here 700 00:33:08,186 --> 00:33:10,154 after Pearl Harbor. 701 00:33:10,154 --> 00:33:15,159 I mean, the Congress is the forum for a foreign leader 702 00:33:16,527 --> 00:33:19,430 who is counting on strong support from the U.S. government 703 00:33:19,430 --> 00:33:23,401 to try to galvanize that support. 704 00:33:23,401 --> 00:33:26,237 But as Doug and I've been saying, 705 00:33:26,237 --> 00:33:28,506 he also wants to put pressure on them 706 00:33:28,506 --> 00:33:30,608 to take specific actions. 707 00:33:30,608 --> 00:33:33,277 Typically, when a foreign leader comes here, 708 00:33:33,277 --> 00:33:37,982 he doesn't have some immediate legislative agenda in mind. 709 00:33:37,982 --> 00:33:39,851 But this time he does. 710 00:33:39,851 --> 00:33:41,886 - And for sure, and again, 711 00:33:41,886 --> 00:33:44,589 a reminder that this is one of those rare instances 712 00:33:44,589 --> 00:33:48,426 in Washington these days where there's bipartisan support 713 00:33:48,426 --> 00:33:49,827 for something. 714 00:33:49,827 --> 00:33:52,864 We just saw the Senate majority leader Chuck Schumer 715 00:33:53,765 --> 00:33:55,233 walk down the aisle 716 00:33:55,233 --> 00:33:57,702 with the Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell 717 00:33:57,702 --> 00:33:59,737 and they were both smiling and laughing, 718 00:33:59,737 --> 00:34:01,773 we don't know what that was about. 719 00:34:01,773 --> 00:34:05,043 They may be announcing President Zelenskyy's arrival 720 00:34:07,178 --> 00:34:08,446 right now. 721 00:34:08,446 --> 00:34:11,916 We can't tell, we can't see everyone coming in. 722 00:34:11,916 --> 00:34:13,084 There he is. 723 00:34:13,084 --> 00:34:15,019 Yes, that was President Zelenskyy 724 00:34:15,019 --> 00:34:17,121 dressed in his traditional fatigues. 725 00:34:19,257 --> 00:34:21,292 What we see him wearing when we see him appearing 726 00:34:21,292 --> 00:34:25,430 on television frequently from Ukraine. 727 00:34:25,430 --> 00:34:26,931 There he is. 728 00:34:26,931 --> 00:34:29,867 You can see a number of members of Congress again, 729 00:34:29,867 --> 00:34:32,036 Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, 730 00:34:32,036 --> 00:34:34,005 the Republican leader, Mitch McConnell there 731 00:34:34,005 --> 00:34:36,407 seated on opposite sides of the aisle. 732 00:34:36,407 --> 00:34:38,176 And as we say, you can't stress enough, 733 00:34:38,176 --> 00:34:40,745 is one of the rare moments when the two sides 734 00:34:40,745 --> 00:34:42,647 are in some agreement. 735 00:34:42,647 --> 00:34:46,584 So here he is, he's greeting vice President Kamala Harris 736 00:34:48,186 --> 00:34:51,422 and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. 737 00:34:52,890 --> 00:34:57,829 And receiving what is clearly a warm welcome from both sides 738 00:34:58,696 --> 00:35:00,698 of the aisle in the House. 739 00:35:00,698 --> 00:35:02,366 And again, they're in the House chamber, 740 00:35:02,366 --> 00:35:06,304 these are House members but also members of the Senate. 741 00:35:06,304 --> 00:35:09,507 (Congress applauding) 742 00:35:09,507 --> 00:35:14,512 He flew out of Ukraine earlier today, 743 00:35:15,646 --> 00:35:16,881 first time he has left his home country 744 00:35:16,881 --> 00:35:20,685 since Russia invaded back in February. 745 00:35:20,685 --> 00:35:24,922 So that very fact alone makes a statement. 746 00:35:24,922 --> 00:35:26,757 He flew across the Atlantic, 747 00:35:26,757 --> 00:35:29,060 arrived early afternoon in Washington, 748 00:35:30,528 --> 00:35:34,765 met with President Biden, two of them met for several hours. 749 00:35:34,765 --> 00:35:36,534 They've met the press 750 00:35:36,534 --> 00:35:39,036 and here he is to address the Congress. 751 00:35:39,036 --> 00:35:40,538 Let's listen. 752 00:35:40,538 --> 00:35:43,708 (Congress applauding) 753 00:35:50,214 --> 00:35:53,384 (Congress applauding) 754 00:35:59,557 --> 00:36:02,660 (Congress applauding) 755 00:36:04,228 --> 00:36:05,897 - [Nancy] Members- 756 00:36:05,897 --> 00:36:09,066 (Congress applauding) 757 00:36:13,704 --> 00:36:15,339 Members of Congress. 758 00:36:15,339 --> 00:36:16,941 - I think it's too much. 759 00:36:16,941 --> 00:36:18,342 - I think you do. 760 00:36:18,342 --> 00:36:22,213 Members of Congress, I have the high privilege 761 00:36:22,213 --> 00:36:25,650 and the distinct honor of presenting to you 762 00:36:25,650 --> 00:36:28,386 his Excellency, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, 763 00:36:28,386 --> 00:36:30,288 President of the Ukraine. 764 00:36:30,288 --> 00:36:33,457 (Congress applauding) 765 00:36:37,995 --> 00:36:39,197 - Thank you so much. 766 00:36:39,197 --> 00:36:42,366 (Congress applauding) 767 00:36:48,573 --> 00:36:51,742 (Congress applauding) 768 00:36:55,546 --> 00:36:59,684 Thank you so much, thank you. 769 00:36:59,684 --> 00:37:01,052 It's too much for me. 770 00:37:03,187 --> 00:37:08,192 All this for our great people, thank you so much. 771 00:37:15,032 --> 00:37:20,037 Dear Americans, in all states, cities and communities, 772 00:37:23,908 --> 00:37:27,211 all those who value freedom and justice, 773 00:37:28,779 --> 00:37:33,017 who cherish it as strongly as we Ukrainians 774 00:37:33,017 --> 00:37:37,755 in all our cities, in each and every family, 775 00:37:37,755 --> 00:37:42,126 I hope my words of respect and gratitude 776 00:37:42,126 --> 00:37:44,695 resonate in each American heart. 777 00:37:46,631 --> 00:37:51,636 Madam Vice President, I thank you for your efforts 778 00:37:53,804 --> 00:37:56,207 in helping Ukraine. 779 00:37:56,207 --> 00:38:00,878 Madam Speaker, you bravely visited Ukraine 780 00:38:00,878 --> 00:38:03,180 during the full fledged war. 781 00:38:04,248 --> 00:38:05,883 Thank you very much. 782 00:38:05,883 --> 00:38:07,418 A great honor. 783 00:38:07,418 --> 00:38:08,552 Thank you. 784 00:38:08,552 --> 00:38:11,722 (Congress applauding) 785 00:38:15,626 --> 00:38:17,862 Great privilege to be here. 786 00:38:17,862 --> 00:38:20,064 Dear members of the Congress, 787 00:38:20,064 --> 00:38:24,869 representatives of both parties who also visited Kyiv, 788 00:38:26,771 --> 00:38:31,776 esteemed congressmen and senators from both parties 789 00:38:32,943 --> 00:38:36,847 who will visit Ukraine I'm sure in the future, 790 00:38:36,847 --> 00:38:39,350 dear representatives of diaspora, 791 00:38:42,820 --> 00:38:45,990 (Congress applauding) 792 00:38:52,663 --> 00:38:55,833 (Congress applauding) 793 00:39:05,576 --> 00:39:09,080 present in this chamber and spread across the country, 794 00:39:09,080 --> 00:39:13,250 dear journalists, it's a great honor for me 795 00:39:13,250 --> 00:39:18,255 to be at a U.S. Congress and speak to you and all Americans. 796 00:39:22,460 --> 00:39:27,331 Against all odds and doom and gloom scenarios, 797 00:39:27,331 --> 00:39:30,234 Ukraine didn't fall. 798 00:39:30,234 --> 00:39:33,371 Ukraine is alive and kicking. 799 00:39:34,405 --> 00:39:37,575 (Congress applauding) 800 00:39:42,880 --> 00:39:44,048 Thank you. 801 00:39:44,048 --> 00:39:47,218 (Congress applauding) 802 00:39:52,690 --> 00:39:56,494 And it gives me good reason to share with you 803 00:39:56,494 --> 00:40:00,598 our first joined victory. 804 00:40:00,598 --> 00:40:04,969 We defeated Russia in the battle for minds of the world. 805 00:40:06,637 --> 00:40:08,406 (Congress applauding) 806 00:40:08,406 --> 00:40:13,411 We have no fear nor should anyone in the world have it. 807 00:40:14,779 --> 00:40:19,116 Ukrainians gained this victory and it gives us courage 808 00:40:19,984 --> 00:40:22,119 which inspires the entire world. 809 00:40:24,488 --> 00:40:28,058 Americans gained this victory and that's why 810 00:40:28,058 --> 00:40:31,896 you have succeeded in uniting the global community 811 00:40:31,896 --> 00:40:36,667 to protect freedom and international law. 812 00:40:36,667 --> 00:40:40,571 Europeans gained this victory and that's why 813 00:40:40,571 --> 00:40:44,642 Europe is now stronger and more independent than ever. 814 00:40:45,810 --> 00:40:50,681 The Russian tyranny has lost control over us 815 00:40:51,982 --> 00:40:55,119 (Congress applauding) 816 00:41:00,057 --> 00:41:03,127 (Congress applauding) 817 00:41:10,968 --> 00:41:14,305 and it will never influence our minds again. 818 00:41:14,305 --> 00:41:18,609 Yet, we have to do whatever it takes to ensure 819 00:41:18,609 --> 00:41:22,646 that countries of the global South also gain such victory. 820 00:41:23,814 --> 00:41:28,552 I know one more I think very important thing, 821 00:41:29,687 --> 00:41:32,690 the Russians will stand a chance to be free 822 00:41:32,690 --> 00:41:37,695 only when they defeat the Kremlin in their minds. 823 00:41:38,762 --> 00:41:41,932 (Congress applauding) 824 00:41:44,134 --> 00:41:48,372 Yet, the battle continues and we have to defeat the Kremlin 825 00:41:48,372 --> 00:41:50,774 on the battlefield, yes. 826 00:41:50,774 --> 00:41:53,577 This battle is not only for the territory for this 827 00:41:53,577 --> 00:41:57,815 or another part of Europe, the battle is not only for life, 828 00:41:57,815 --> 00:42:02,052 freedom and security of Ukrainians or any other nation 829 00:42:02,052 --> 00:42:04,755 which Russia attempts to conquer. 830 00:42:04,755 --> 00:42:09,293 This struggle will define in what world our children 831 00:42:09,293 --> 00:42:13,564 and grandchildren will live and then their children 832 00:42:13,564 --> 00:42:15,232 and grandchildren. 833 00:42:15,232 --> 00:42:20,104 It will define whether it will be a democracy for Ukrainians 834 00:42:20,104 --> 00:42:23,140 and for Americans for all. 835 00:42:23,140 --> 00:42:28,145 This battle cannot be frozen or postponed. 836 00:42:29,547 --> 00:42:33,250 It cannot be ignored hoping that the ocean or something else 837 00:42:34,685 --> 00:42:36,720 will provide a protection. 838 00:42:37,821 --> 00:42:40,391 From the United States to China, 839 00:42:40,391 --> 00:42:44,862 from Europe to Latin America, and from Africa to Australia, 840 00:42:44,862 --> 00:42:49,867 the world is too interconnected and interdependent 841 00:42:51,502 --> 00:42:55,573 to allow someone to stay aside and at the same time 842 00:42:55,573 --> 00:42:59,176 to feel safe when such a battle continues. 843 00:43:00,544 --> 00:43:05,049 Our two nations are allies in this battle. 844 00:43:06,483 --> 00:43:09,920 And next year will be a turning point, I know it, 845 00:43:09,920 --> 00:43:14,391 the point when Ukrainian courage and American resolve 846 00:43:14,391 --> 00:43:18,362 must guarantee the future of our common freedom. 847 00:43:18,362 --> 00:43:21,732 The freedom of people who stand for their values. 848 00:43:23,200 --> 00:43:26,370 (Congress applauding) 849 00:43:33,143 --> 00:43:36,313 (Congress applauding) 850 00:43:38,716 --> 00:43:40,451 Ladies and Gentlemen, 851 00:43:41,752 --> 00:43:44,054 ladies and Gentlemen, Americans, 852 00:43:44,054 --> 00:43:49,059 yesterday before coming here to Washington DC, 853 00:43:50,127 --> 00:43:54,198 I was at the frontline, in our Bakhmut. 854 00:43:54,198 --> 00:43:58,235 In our stronghold in the East of Ukraine, in the Donbas. 855 00:43:59,403 --> 00:44:03,073 The Russian military and mercenaries 856 00:44:03,073 --> 00:44:07,511 have been attacking Bakhmut non-stop since May. 857 00:44:07,511 --> 00:44:10,114 They have been attacking it day and night 858 00:44:10,114 --> 00:44:12,616 but Bakhmut stands. 859 00:44:13,684 --> 00:44:16,854 (Congress applauding) 860 00:44:20,424 --> 00:44:23,627 Last year, 70,000 people lived there in Bakhmut, 861 00:44:23,627 --> 00:44:26,930 in this city, and now only few civilians stay. 862 00:44:26,930 --> 00:44:30,567 Every inch of that land is soaked in blood. 863 00:44:30,567 --> 00:44:34,204 Roaring guns sound every hour. 864 00:44:34,204 --> 00:44:39,009 Trenches in the Donbas change hands several times a day 865 00:44:39,009 --> 00:44:42,846 in fierce combat and even hand fighting. 866 00:44:42,846 --> 00:44:45,315 But the Ukrainian Donbas stands. 867 00:44:46,950 --> 00:44:50,120 (Congress applauding) 868 00:44:55,259 --> 00:44:58,429 (Congress applauding) 869 00:45:03,233 --> 00:45:08,238 Russians use everything they have against Bakhmut 870 00:45:09,106 --> 00:45:13,077 and our other beautiful cities. 871 00:45:13,077 --> 00:45:18,082 The occupiers have a significant advantage in artillery. 872 00:45:19,149 --> 00:45:20,918 They have an advantage in ammunition, 873 00:45:20,918 --> 00:45:25,923 they have much more missiles and planes than we ever had. 874 00:45:28,192 --> 00:45:33,197 It's true but our defense forces stand. 875 00:45:33,931 --> 00:45:36,734 (Congress applauding) 876 00:45:41,171 --> 00:45:44,341 (Congress applauding) 877 00:45:48,846 --> 00:45:51,248 And we all are proud of them. 878 00:45:52,416 --> 00:45:56,754 The Russian tactic is primitive. 879 00:45:56,754 --> 00:46:00,257 They burn down and destroy everything they see. 880 00:46:00,257 --> 00:46:03,427 They sent thugs to the frontlines, 881 00:46:03,427 --> 00:46:05,729 they sent convicts to the war. 882 00:46:06,764 --> 00:46:08,999 They threw everything against us 883 00:46:08,999 --> 00:46:11,001 similar to the other tyranny 884 00:46:11,001 --> 00:46:13,937 which in the Battle of the Bulge. 885 00:46:15,372 --> 00:46:18,408 Threw everything it had against the free world. 886 00:46:18,408 --> 00:46:23,280 Just like the brave American soldiers which held their lines 887 00:46:23,280 --> 00:46:25,783 and fought back Hitler's forces 888 00:46:25,783 --> 00:46:29,153 during the Christmas of 1944, 889 00:46:29,153 --> 00:46:32,689 brave Ukrainian soldiers are doing the same 890 00:46:32,689 --> 00:46:35,759 to Putin's forces this Christmas. 891 00:46:36,994 --> 00:46:40,197 (Congress applauding) 892 00:46:43,200 --> 00:46:47,471 Ukraine holds its lines and will never surrender. 893 00:46:48,505 --> 00:46:51,675 (Congress applauding) 894 00:46:58,148 --> 00:47:01,251 (Congress applauding) 895 00:47:08,358 --> 00:47:13,363 So here is the frontline, the tyranny which has no lack 896 00:47:14,531 --> 00:47:16,934 of cruelty against the lives of free people 897 00:47:16,934 --> 00:47:21,939 and your support is crucial not just to stand in such fights 898 00:47:23,307 --> 00:47:27,811 but to get to the turning point, to win on the battlefield. 899 00:47:28,979 --> 00:47:32,549 We have artillery, yes, thank you. 900 00:47:33,483 --> 00:47:35,819 We have, is it enough? 901 00:47:35,819 --> 00:47:37,788 Honestly, not really. 902 00:47:37,788 --> 00:47:40,157 (Congress laughs) 903 00:47:40,157 --> 00:47:44,461 To ensure Bakhmut is not just a stronghold 904 00:47:44,461 --> 00:47:48,832 that holds back the Russian army but for the Russian army 905 00:47:48,832 --> 00:47:53,804 to completely pull out, more cannons and shells are needed. 906 00:47:53,804 --> 00:47:57,341 If so, just like the battle of Saratoga, 907 00:47:57,341 --> 00:48:02,279 the fight for Bakhmut will change the trajectory of our war 908 00:48:03,146 --> 00:48:05,249 for independence and freedom. 909 00:48:06,817 --> 00:48:11,822 If your Patriots stop the Russian terror against our cities, 910 00:48:13,991 --> 00:48:18,528 it will let Ukrainian patriots work to the full 911 00:48:18,528 --> 00:48:20,464 to defend our freedom. 912 00:48:21,431 --> 00:48:24,601 (Congress applauding) 913 00:48:26,470 --> 00:48:30,474 When Russia cannot reach our cities by its artillery, 914 00:48:30,474 --> 00:48:34,645 it tries to destroy them with missile attacks. 915 00:48:34,645 --> 00:48:36,113 More than that, 916 00:48:36,113 --> 00:48:39,983 Russia found an ally in its genocidal policy, Iran. 917 00:48:43,854 --> 00:48:48,458 Iranian deadly drones sent to Russia in hundreds 918 00:48:48,458 --> 00:48:53,363 became a threat to our critical infrastructure. 919 00:48:53,363 --> 00:48:57,034 That is how one terrorist has found the other. 920 00:48:58,435 --> 00:49:01,505 It is just a matter of time when they will strike 921 00:49:01,505 --> 00:49:06,243 against your other allies if we do not stop them now. 922 00:49:06,243 --> 00:49:07,477 We must do it. 923 00:49:08,345 --> 00:49:11,515 (Congress applauding) 924 00:49:17,821 --> 00:49:20,991 (Congress applauding) 925 00:49:24,494 --> 00:49:27,264 I believe there should be no taboos 926 00:49:27,264 --> 00:49:30,467 between us in our alliance. 927 00:49:30,467 --> 00:49:33,870 Ukraine never asked the American soldiers 928 00:49:33,870 --> 00:49:37,274 to fight on our land instead of us. 929 00:49:37,274 --> 00:49:40,677 I assure you that Ukrainian soldiers 930 00:49:40,677 --> 00:49:45,682 can perfectly operate American tanks and planes themselves. 931 00:49:48,719 --> 00:49:51,888 (Congress applauding) 932 00:49:57,828 --> 00:50:00,998 (Congress applauding) 933 00:50:04,501 --> 00:50:07,804 Financial assistance is also critically important 934 00:50:07,804 --> 00:50:11,108 and I would like to thank you, thank you very much 935 00:50:11,108 --> 00:50:14,378 that you for both financial packages 936 00:50:14,378 --> 00:50:16,847 you have already provided us with 937 00:50:16,847 --> 00:50:21,051 and the ones you may be willing to decide on, 938 00:50:21,051 --> 00:50:23,620 your money is not charity, 939 00:50:25,022 --> 00:50:29,126 it's an investment in the global security and democracy 940 00:50:29,126 --> 00:50:33,530 that we handle in the most responsible way. 941 00:50:33,530 --> 00:50:36,700 (Congress applauding) 942 00:50:40,270 --> 00:50:43,407 (Congress applauding) 943 00:50:48,111 --> 00:50:53,083 Russia could stop its aggression really if it wanted to 944 00:50:54,251 --> 00:50:58,555 but you can speed up our victory, I know it. 945 00:51:00,023 --> 00:51:03,927 And it will prove to any potential aggressor 946 00:51:03,927 --> 00:51:08,565 that no one can succeed in breaking national borders, 947 00:51:08,565 --> 00:51:11,701 no one committing atrocities 948 00:51:11,701 --> 00:51:15,205 and reigning over people against their will. 949 00:51:16,640 --> 00:51:19,810 It would be naive to wait for steps towards peace 950 00:51:19,810 --> 00:51:24,247 from Russia which enjoys being a terrorist state. 951 00:51:24,247 --> 00:51:27,951 Russians are still poisoned by the Kremlin. 952 00:51:29,286 --> 00:51:31,288 The restoration of international legal order 953 00:51:31,288 --> 00:51:34,791 is our joint task, we need peace. 954 00:51:34,791 --> 00:51:38,528 Yes, Ukraine has already offered proposals 955 00:51:38,528 --> 00:51:41,631 which I just discussed with President Biden 956 00:51:41,631 --> 00:51:43,133 our Peace Formula. 957 00:51:43,133 --> 00:51:46,570 Ten points which should and must be implemented 958 00:51:46,570 --> 00:51:51,575 for our joint security guaranteed for decades ahead 959 00:51:51,575 --> 00:51:53,877 and the Summit, which can be held. 960 00:51:53,877 --> 00:51:57,481 I am glad to stress that President Biden supported 961 00:51:57,481 --> 00:51:59,182 our peace initiative today. 962 00:51:59,182 --> 00:52:01,384 Each of you, ladies and gentlemen, 963 00:52:01,384 --> 00:52:04,855 can assist in its implementation to ensure 964 00:52:04,855 --> 00:52:08,325 that America's leadership remains solid, 965 00:52:11,561 --> 00:52:15,398 bicameral and bipartisan. 966 00:52:15,398 --> 00:52:16,633 Thank you. 967 00:52:16,633 --> 00:52:19,803 (Congress applauding) 968 00:52:23,840 --> 00:52:27,010 (Congress applauding) 969 00:52:30,113 --> 00:52:33,150 You can strengthen sanctions to make Russia feel 970 00:52:33,150 --> 00:52:37,187 how ruinous its aggression truly is. 971 00:52:37,187 --> 00:52:42,192 It is in your power to help us bring to justice everyone 972 00:52:43,627 --> 00:52:47,430 who started this unprovoked and criminal war, let's do it. 973 00:52:49,065 --> 00:52:52,235 (Congress applauding) 974 00:52:56,439 --> 00:52:59,576 (Congress applauding) 975 00:53:02,746 --> 00:53:04,881 Let the terrorist state be held responsible 976 00:53:04,881 --> 00:53:07,717 for its terror and aggression 977 00:53:07,717 --> 00:53:11,955 and compensate all losses done by this war. 978 00:53:11,955 --> 00:53:16,259 Let the world see that the United States are here. 979 00:53:20,230 --> 00:53:22,799 Ladies and Gentlemen, Americans, 980 00:53:22,799 --> 00:53:27,804 in two days, we will celebrate Christmas. 981 00:53:30,574 --> 00:53:35,579 Maybe candlelit, not because it is more romantic, no, 982 00:53:36,913 --> 00:53:41,518 but because there will be no electricity. 983 00:53:42,953 --> 00:53:47,624 Millions won't have neither heating nor running water. 984 00:53:49,092 --> 00:53:51,995 All of this will be the result of Russian missile 985 00:53:51,995 --> 00:53:55,999 and drone attacks on our energy infrastructure. 986 00:53:57,434 --> 00:53:59,069 But we do not complain, 987 00:54:00,437 --> 00:54:04,608 we do not judge and compare whose life is easier. 988 00:54:06,009 --> 00:54:10,647 Your well-being is the product of your national security, 989 00:54:11,982 --> 00:54:15,151 the result of your struggle for independence 990 00:54:15,151 --> 00:54:17,354 and your many victories. 991 00:54:18,755 --> 00:54:23,093 We, Ukrainians, will also go through our war of independence 992 00:54:23,093 --> 00:54:26,396 and freedom with dignity and success. 993 00:54:27,364 --> 00:54:30,533 (Congress applauding) 994 00:54:37,073 --> 00:54:40,243 (Congress applauding) 995 00:54:46,616 --> 00:54:49,319 We'll celebrate Christmas. 996 00:54:50,787 --> 00:54:54,724 Celebrate Christmas and even if there is no electricity, 997 00:54:54,724 --> 00:54:59,729 the light of our faith in ourselves will not be put out. 998 00:55:03,733 --> 00:55:07,904 If Russian missiles attack us, we'll do our best 999 00:55:07,904 --> 00:55:09,973 to protect ourselves. 1000 00:55:09,973 --> 00:55:12,609 If they attack us with Iranian drones 1001 00:55:12,609 --> 00:55:15,545 and our people will have to go to bomb shelters 1002 00:55:15,545 --> 00:55:19,182 on Christmas eve, Ukrainians will still sit down 1003 00:55:19,182 --> 00:55:22,886 at a holiday table and cheer up each other. 1004 00:55:22,886 --> 00:55:27,424 And we don't have to know everyone's wish 1005 00:55:27,424 --> 00:55:31,695 as we know that all of us, millions of Ukrainians, 1006 00:55:31,695 --> 00:55:35,999 wish the same, victory, only victory. 1007 00:55:35,999 --> 00:55:39,169 (Congress applauding) 1008 00:55:43,606 --> 00:55:46,810 (Congress applauding) 1009 00:55:48,578 --> 00:55:51,915 We already built strong Ukraine with strong people, 1010 00:55:51,915 --> 00:55:55,518 strong army, strong institutions together with you. 1011 00:55:55,518 --> 00:55:58,888 We develop strong security guarantees for our country 1012 00:55:58,888 --> 00:56:02,025 and for entire Europe and the world together with you. 1013 00:56:02,025 --> 00:56:07,030 And also together with you, we'll put in place everyone 1014 00:56:08,098 --> 00:56:11,735 who will defy freedom, put in. 1015 00:56:11,735 --> 00:56:15,071 (Congress applauding) 1016 00:56:15,071 --> 00:56:19,376 This will be the basis to protect democracy in Europe 1017 00:56:19,376 --> 00:56:21,378 and the world over. 1018 00:56:21,378 --> 00:56:26,149 Now on this special Christmas time, 1019 00:56:26,149 --> 00:56:30,019 I want to thank you, all of you. 1020 00:56:30,019 --> 00:56:35,024 I thank every American family which cherishes 1021 00:56:35,892 --> 00:56:38,361 the warmth of its home 1022 00:56:38,361 --> 00:56:41,097 and wishes the same warmth to other people. 1023 00:56:42,532 --> 00:56:47,036 I thank President Biden and both parties at the Senate 1024 00:56:47,036 --> 00:56:52,041 and the House for your invaluable assistance. 1025 00:56:53,209 --> 00:56:56,646 I thank your cities and your citizens 1026 00:56:56,646 --> 00:57:00,917 who supported Ukraine this year, who hosted our, Ukrainians, 1027 00:57:00,917 --> 00:57:05,488 our people, who waved our national flags, 1028 00:57:05,488 --> 00:57:07,590 who acted to help us. 1029 00:57:08,858 --> 00:57:10,326 Thank you all. 1030 00:57:10,326 --> 00:57:14,330 From everyone who is now at the frontline, 1031 00:57:14,330 --> 00:57:18,201 from everyone who is awaiting victory. 1032 00:57:19,436 --> 00:57:23,006 Standing here today, I recall the words 1033 00:57:23,006 --> 00:57:26,309 of the President Franklin Delano Roosevelt 1034 00:57:27,710 --> 00:57:30,246 which are I think so good for this moment, 1035 00:57:31,848 --> 00:57:36,553 "The American People in their righteous might 1036 00:57:37,720 --> 00:57:42,625 "will win through to absolute victory." 1037 00:57:43,993 --> 00:57:48,798 The Ukrainian People will win too, absolutely. 1038 00:57:49,532 --> 00:57:52,602 (Congress applauding) 1039 00:57:58,942 --> 00:58:02,045 (Congress applauding) 1040 00:58:04,380 --> 00:58:07,317 I know that everything depends on us. 1041 00:58:07,317 --> 00:58:12,322 On Ukrainian Armed Forces, yet so much depends on the world. 1042 00:58:13,456 --> 00:58:17,293 So much in the world depends on you. 1043 00:58:18,862 --> 00:58:22,465 When I was in Bakhmut yesterday, 1044 00:58:22,465 --> 00:58:27,470 our heroes gave me the flag, the battle flag. 1045 00:58:29,072 --> 00:58:33,776 The flag of those who defend Ukraine, Europe and the world 1046 00:58:33,776 --> 00:58:36,079 at the cost of their lives. 1047 00:58:36,079 --> 00:58:39,616 They asked me to bring this flag to you, 1048 00:58:39,616 --> 00:58:41,518 to the U.S. Congress, 1049 00:58:41,518 --> 00:58:45,255 to members of the House of Representatives and senators, 1050 00:58:45,255 --> 00:58:49,959 whose decisions can save millions of people. 1051 00:58:49,959 --> 00:58:54,464 So let these decisions be taken. 1052 00:58:54,464 --> 00:58:59,469 Let this flag stay with you, ladies and gentlemen. 1053 00:59:00,670 --> 00:59:04,641 This flag is a symbol of our victory in this war. 1054 00:59:06,042 --> 00:59:09,646 We stand, we fight and we will win because we are united; 1055 00:59:09,646 --> 00:59:14,651 Ukraine, America and the entire free world. 1056 00:59:15,385 --> 00:59:18,087 (Congress applauding) 1057 00:59:24,727 --> 00:59:27,897 (Congress applauding) 1058 00:59:33,102 --> 00:59:36,272 (Congress applauding) 1059 00:59:41,611 --> 00:59:45,582 (Congress applauding) 1060 00:59:45,582 --> 00:59:49,919 Just one thing, if I can. 1061 00:59:49,919 --> 00:59:52,288 The last thing, thank you so much. 1062 00:59:52,288 --> 00:59:56,125 May God protect our brave troops and citizens. 1063 00:59:56,125 --> 00:59:59,662 May God forever bless the United States of America. 1064 00:59:59,662 --> 01:00:04,000 Merry Christmas and a happy victorious new year. 1065 01:00:04,000 --> 01:00:05,234 Slava Ukraini. 1066 01:00:05,234 --> 01:00:08,404 (Congress applauding) 1067 01:00:14,010 --> 01:00:17,180 (Congress applauding) 1068 01:00:23,152 --> 01:00:26,322 (Congress applauding) 1069 01:00:31,761 --> 01:00:35,131 (Congress applauding) 1070 01:00:35,131 --> 01:00:36,666 Thank you so much. 1071 01:00:36,666 --> 01:00:39,836 (Congress applauding) 1072 01:00:44,841 --> 01:00:47,176 (Congress applauding) 1073 01:00:47,176 --> 01:00:50,113 - The flag of the Capitol today for you. 1074 01:00:50,113 --> 01:00:51,347 - Okay, for me. 1075 01:00:53,716 --> 01:00:54,784 - I can hold. 1076 01:00:56,552 --> 01:00:58,154 - Turn around. - Yes. 1077 01:00:58,154 --> 01:00:59,689 - There we go. 1078 01:00:59,689 --> 01:01:02,759 (Congress applauding) 1079 01:01:07,764 --> 01:01:10,933 (Congress applauding) 1080 01:01:14,804 --> 01:01:18,675 - This flag was flown over the capitol today 1081 01:01:18,675 --> 01:01:21,511 in honor of the President's visit. 1082 01:01:21,511 --> 01:01:22,578 - Thank you so much. 1083 01:01:22,578 --> 01:01:25,748 (Congress applauding) 1084 01:01:31,521 --> 01:01:34,691 (Congress applauding) 1085 01:01:40,229 --> 01:01:43,399 (Congress applauding) 1086 01:01:46,936 --> 01:01:50,440 - Well, it is hard to imagine a more moving conclusion 1087 01:01:50,440 --> 01:01:53,543 to this address, to a joint meeting of Congress 1088 01:01:53,543 --> 01:01:57,280 by Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy 1089 01:01:57,280 --> 01:02:02,185 than to see him present the members of Congress with a flag 1090 01:02:03,352 --> 01:02:06,589 as he said himself, he obtained just yesterday 1091 01:02:06,589 --> 01:02:09,092 from his own fighters on the Eastern front. 1092 01:02:10,259 --> 01:02:11,594 It looked as if it had their signatures 1093 01:02:11,594 --> 01:02:12,862 and a message written on it. 1094 01:02:12,862 --> 01:02:16,365 He presented that yellow and blue iconic flag 1095 01:02:16,365 --> 01:02:20,436 to Vice President Kamala Harris, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. 1096 01:02:22,505 --> 01:02:25,608 And at the same time, Speaker Pelosi in turn 1097 01:02:25,608 --> 01:02:29,212 presented President Zelenskyy with an American flag 1098 01:02:29,212 --> 01:02:31,380 as you saw in that wooden case, 1099 01:02:31,380 --> 01:02:33,449 the triangular case that shows the star. 1100 01:02:33,449 --> 01:02:34,884 She said, "This is a flag 1101 01:02:34,884 --> 01:02:39,021 "that was flown over the United States Capitol today." 1102 01:02:39,021 --> 01:02:42,158 It was quite a speech, a moving speech. 1103 01:02:42,158 --> 01:02:45,161 One that President Zelenskyy who typically speaks 1104 01:02:45,161 --> 01:02:50,133 in his own native Ukrainian language, he spoke in English. 1105 01:02:50,133 --> 01:02:51,667 - [Nancy] The House is now dissolved. 1106 01:02:51,667 --> 01:02:53,936 The House will continue in recess 1107 01:02:53,936 --> 01:02:55,772 subject to the call of the chair. 1108 01:02:57,273 --> 01:03:00,610 - That's of course House Speaker Nancy Pelosi 1109 01:03:00,610 --> 01:03:05,014 calling this session to a close after about a 30-minute, 1110 01:03:05,014 --> 01:03:10,019 25-minute or so worth of remarks by the Ukrainian president. 1111 01:03:11,120 --> 01:03:14,657 I'm joined by again by our guest, 1112 01:03:14,657 --> 01:03:16,793 Retired Lieutenant General Doug Lute, 1113 01:03:16,793 --> 01:03:18,327 35 year career in the Army 1114 01:03:18,327 --> 01:03:20,363 serving on the National Security Council staff 1115 01:03:20,363 --> 01:03:23,766 during the both George W. Bush and Obama administrations. 1116 01:03:23,766 --> 01:03:25,768 And also Steve Sestanovich, 1117 01:03:25,768 --> 01:03:28,204 he's a professor at Columbia University, 1118 01:03:28,204 --> 01:03:30,473 a senior fellow at the Council and Foreign Relations, 1119 01:03:30,473 --> 01:03:33,042 ambassador at large for the former Soviet Union 1120 01:03:33,042 --> 01:03:35,244 during the Clinton administration. 1121 01:03:36,412 --> 01:03:39,248 To both of you, I was taking notes 1122 01:03:39,248 --> 01:03:43,753 during President Zelenskyy speech 1123 01:03:43,753 --> 01:03:47,857 which drew numerous interruptions with applause 1124 01:03:47,857 --> 01:03:52,862 from both sides of this often very divided Congress. 1125 01:03:54,330 --> 01:03:56,432 Steve Sestanovich, we were used to seeing the members 1126 01:03:56,432 --> 01:03:59,702 in opposition but they were very much together applauding 1127 01:04:00,903 --> 01:04:04,740 the representation that President Zelenskyy made 1128 01:04:04,740 --> 01:04:08,711 and his expressions of thanks to the United States. 1129 01:04:10,613 --> 01:04:15,618 - For sure, he was addressing a friendly audience. 1130 01:04:17,453 --> 01:04:20,690 He had a strong message for them. 1131 01:04:20,690 --> 01:04:24,560 I'm sure that a textual analysis will show 1132 01:04:24,560 --> 01:04:27,296 that the single most frequently spoken word 1133 01:04:27,296 --> 01:04:29,799 in the speech was victory. 1134 01:04:29,799 --> 01:04:33,202 He wants the support of the Congress as he wants the support 1135 01:04:33,202 --> 01:04:37,807 of the administration not to fight to a grinding stalemate 1136 01:04:37,807 --> 01:04:41,077 but to be able to keep pushing the Russians back 1137 01:04:41,077 --> 01:04:45,348 to something that can be called a victory 1138 01:04:45,348 --> 01:04:48,751 by him and his people. 1139 01:04:48,751 --> 01:04:52,455 - There there were stirring calls on his part, Doug Lute, 1140 01:04:53,856 --> 01:04:58,494 as Steve Sestanovich just said to support the Ukrainians. 1141 01:04:59,595 --> 01:05:01,797 He spoke about the courage of his fighters 1142 01:05:01,797 --> 01:05:06,168 but he also, Doug Lute, at one point he said, 1143 01:05:06,168 --> 01:05:10,473 yes, thank you for what you've given us but is it enough? 1144 01:05:10,473 --> 01:05:12,141 No, he said, frankly. 1145 01:05:12,141 --> 01:05:15,011 And there was a little bit of laughter there in the chamber 1146 01:05:15,011 --> 01:05:17,280 which is a reminder that this was a trip, 1147 01:05:17,280 --> 01:05:20,316 yes, it was symbolic, yes, it was to say thank you 1148 01:05:20,316 --> 01:05:22,618 but it was also to say, we need more. 1149 01:05:23,653 --> 01:05:25,187 - You know, right Judy. 1150 01:05:25,187 --> 01:05:28,858 It's often said that Vladimir Putin is playing the long game 1151 01:05:28,858 --> 01:05:30,893 with the war in Ukraine. 1152 01:05:30,893 --> 01:05:34,463 Meaning that he's betting that the Western coalition 1153 01:05:34,463 --> 01:05:37,800 of military assistance and economic sanctions will crack. 1154 01:05:37,800 --> 01:05:40,803 That the pressures of inflation and energy prices 1155 01:05:40,803 --> 01:05:44,807 and so forth will cause us to be not durable 1156 01:05:44,807 --> 01:05:46,342 for the long haul. 1157 01:05:46,342 --> 01:05:51,347 Tonight, Volodymyr Zelenskyy invested in his long game 1158 01:05:52,815 --> 01:05:54,617 and this is the long game to cement the connections 1159 01:05:54,617 --> 01:05:58,487 from the battlefield spot that he visited yesterday, Bakhmut 1160 01:05:58,487 --> 01:06:01,590 all the way to the Oval Office today 1161 01:06:01,590 --> 01:06:03,292 and then Capitol Hill this evening. 1162 01:06:03,292 --> 01:06:07,463 It was a masterful piece of moving from the tactical 1163 01:06:07,463 --> 01:06:10,766 to the strategic and investing in the long game. 1164 01:06:10,766 --> 01:06:13,769 - Very much almost, if you will, 1165 01:06:15,104 --> 01:06:18,641 use of a theatrical technique where he referred, 1166 01:06:18,641 --> 01:06:20,977 back to you Steve Sestanovich, 1167 01:06:20,977 --> 01:06:23,412 where he referred to just hours ago. 1168 01:06:23,412 --> 01:06:26,048 He was with his own troops in a place 1169 01:06:26,048 --> 01:06:27,783 where they've been able to hold off the Russians 1170 01:06:27,783 --> 01:06:29,618 but it's been very, very tough. 1171 01:06:29,618 --> 01:06:32,388 It's certainly taken a toll on his troops. 1172 01:06:32,388 --> 01:06:36,258 It's taken a toll on his country, it continues to do that. 1173 01:06:36,258 --> 01:06:38,561 But he made that stirring connection 1174 01:06:38,561 --> 01:06:42,231 between I was just there and now I'm here with you 1175 01:06:42,231 --> 01:06:45,368 to say thank you and I want you to know what they're saying. 1176 01:06:46,802 --> 01:06:49,739 - Judy, he went to Bakhmut precisely 1177 01:06:49,739 --> 01:06:52,641 to be able to talk about it tonight 1178 01:06:52,641 --> 01:06:57,580 and to get that flag for the members of Congress. 1179 01:06:57,580 --> 01:06:59,181 This was excellent theater 1180 01:06:59,181 --> 01:07:00,983 and I don't hold it against him at all. 1181 01:07:00,983 --> 01:07:05,688 I think it was, in that respect, a kind of master stroke. 1182 01:07:05,688 --> 01:07:07,256 But this wasn't all theater. 1183 01:07:07,256 --> 01:07:11,761 He had some real sort of messages in the speech 1184 01:07:11,761 --> 01:07:13,496 that were important. 1185 01:07:13,496 --> 01:07:16,565 I was struck by the sentence where he said, 1186 01:07:16,565 --> 01:07:21,003 "We are going to use the help that you give us 1187 01:07:21,003 --> 01:07:24,040 "in the most responsible way." 1188 01:07:24,040 --> 01:07:27,076 That's a message both to the administration 1189 01:07:27,076 --> 01:07:30,880 that's worried that long-range missiles may enable them 1190 01:07:30,880 --> 01:07:34,116 to attack Russia and a message to the Congress 1191 01:07:34,116 --> 01:07:36,452 which has been talking about an audit. 1192 01:07:37,787 --> 01:07:40,990 He's saying to both the Congress and the administration, 1193 01:07:40,990 --> 01:07:45,961 look, we've shown we can do this as he said it 1194 01:07:45,961 --> 01:07:49,065 in another point which got a half laugh, not as big a laugh 1195 01:07:49,065 --> 01:07:52,134 as the one you mentioned where he said, 1196 01:07:52,134 --> 01:07:55,271 "We've shown we know how to use these tanks and planes." 1197 01:07:55,271 --> 01:07:56,105 - That's right. 1198 01:07:56,105 --> 01:07:57,373 Yeah, that's right. 1199 01:07:57,373 --> 01:08:00,342 I was struck by that as well, Doug Lute, 1200 01:08:00,342 --> 01:08:05,147 where President Zelenskyy made a point of saying 1201 01:08:05,147 --> 01:08:07,950 that we use this aid that you give us, 1202 01:08:07,950 --> 01:08:09,485 this support we're so grateful for it 1203 01:08:09,485 --> 01:08:12,721 but we use it responsibly. 1204 01:08:12,721 --> 01:08:16,525 He seemed to be, clearly he was saying, 1205 01:08:16,525 --> 01:08:19,462 which means it's okay for you to give us more help 1206 01:08:19,462 --> 01:08:21,163 that we will use it well. 1207 01:08:21,163 --> 01:08:24,400 What specifically remind us are the Ukrainians 1208 01:08:24,400 --> 01:08:28,237 asking for from the Americans in addition 1209 01:08:28,237 --> 01:08:29,538 to what the Americans have already done, 1210 01:08:29,538 --> 01:08:32,274 $100 billion dollars worth? 1211 01:08:32,274 --> 01:08:36,512 - Right, I would cite three military capability gaps 1212 01:08:36,512 --> 01:08:38,047 that he's trying to fill. 1213 01:08:38,047 --> 01:08:40,382 One is partially addressed by the Patriot air defense system 1214 01:08:40,382 --> 01:08:41,650 that was announced today. 1215 01:08:41,650 --> 01:08:45,688 So high altitude, long-range air defense. 1216 01:08:45,688 --> 01:08:48,858 So that's at least initially on its way. 1217 01:08:48,858 --> 01:08:52,194 The second though, is to sort of refurbish his forces 1218 01:08:52,194 --> 01:08:55,064 on the ground for a spring offensive 1219 01:08:55,064 --> 01:08:59,235 and this means refurbishing them with tanks, 1220 01:08:59,235 --> 01:09:02,371 mechanized infantry, carrying vehicles, 1221 01:09:02,371 --> 01:09:06,876 mobile engineer support, all so that they can come together 1222 01:09:06,876 --> 01:09:10,613 in what we call combined arms and present 1223 01:09:10,613 --> 01:09:12,214 an effective offensive force. 1224 01:09:12,214 --> 01:09:13,682 And then the third thing 1225 01:09:13,682 --> 01:09:15,951 which is perhaps the most politically sensitive 1226 01:09:15,951 --> 01:09:20,956 is long-range strike systems that can strike the airfields 1227 01:09:22,124 --> 01:09:23,859 from which these air attacks, drone attacks 1228 01:09:23,859 --> 01:09:25,127 are being launched. 1229 01:09:25,127 --> 01:09:28,964 Some of these airfields are in occupied Ukraine, 1230 01:09:28,964 --> 01:09:30,599 others are in Russia. 1231 01:09:30,599 --> 01:09:33,869 And if we really wanna get at the defense of Ukraine, 1232 01:09:33,869 --> 01:09:37,173 we have to do more than provide defense against systems 1233 01:09:37,173 --> 01:09:39,108 that are already flying in the air 1234 01:09:39,108 --> 01:09:41,410 and we have to go to the source of the launch. 1235 01:09:41,410 --> 01:09:43,245 And that's really what he's talking about 1236 01:09:43,245 --> 01:09:45,915 in terms of being responsible and so forth. 1237 01:09:45,915 --> 01:09:48,050 - And Doug Lute, I wanna stay with you for just a moment 1238 01:09:48,050 --> 01:09:49,585 because earlier tonight on the "NewsHour", 1239 01:09:49,585 --> 01:09:53,355 I spoke with Amanda Sloat who's the director for Europe 1240 01:09:53,355 --> 01:09:56,025 on the National Security Council staff 1241 01:09:56,025 --> 01:09:58,160 at the Biden White House. 1242 01:09:58,160 --> 01:10:00,629 And when I pressed her a little bit on 1243 01:10:00,629 --> 01:10:03,065 what else is the administration prepared to do, 1244 01:10:03,065 --> 01:10:04,433 what are you not prepared to do, 1245 01:10:04,433 --> 01:10:06,569 she was reluctant to get into any specifics. 1246 01:10:06,569 --> 01:10:08,003 She kept referring to what 1247 01:10:08,003 --> 01:10:10,506 the administration's already doing. 1248 01:10:10,506 --> 01:10:13,475 But where does the administration, in your understanding, 1249 01:10:13,475 --> 01:10:16,412 draw the line between what they are prepared to do 1250 01:10:16,412 --> 01:10:20,015 right now, and we know that line has moved somewhat, 1251 01:10:20,015 --> 01:10:23,586 and what they just don't think they should do 1252 01:10:23,586 --> 01:10:25,955 or can do at this moment? 1253 01:10:25,955 --> 01:10:29,258 - Well, so far in this sort of incremental approach 1254 01:10:29,258 --> 01:10:30,960 to supporting the Ukrainians, 1255 01:10:30,960 --> 01:10:35,698 we have avoided crossing a line into longer range systems 1256 01:10:35,698 --> 01:10:37,733 that could actually take the fight 1257 01:10:37,733 --> 01:10:42,705 to these these launching pads inside Russia. 1258 01:10:44,206 --> 01:10:46,976 And that really I think is the most heated debate right now. 1259 01:10:46,976 --> 01:10:49,778 I think increasingly as these Iranian drones 1260 01:10:49,778 --> 01:10:51,413 have an effect on the battlefield, 1261 01:10:51,413 --> 01:10:53,816 there will be a discussion among planners, 1262 01:10:53,816 --> 01:10:57,553 American planners, NATO planners, and Ukrainian planners 1263 01:10:57,553 --> 01:11:01,357 about how there are potential ways to interdict the flow 1264 01:11:01,357 --> 01:11:04,493 of this Iranian support to Ukraine. 1265 01:11:04,493 --> 01:11:05,894 But these are down the road, 1266 01:11:05,894 --> 01:11:09,298 they're not yet ready for decision. 1267 01:11:09,298 --> 01:11:11,433 - Steve Sestanovich, weigh in if you will, 1268 01:11:11,433 --> 01:11:13,469 on that discussion that's going on, 1269 01:11:13,469 --> 01:11:16,739 whether it's at the level of President Biden himself 1270 01:11:16,739 --> 01:11:19,942 right now but in the national security arena 1271 01:11:19,942 --> 01:11:23,712 in the administration about just how much more 1272 01:11:23,712 --> 01:11:25,414 this administration can do, 1273 01:11:25,414 --> 01:11:29,151 this government can do to support Ukraine. 1274 01:11:29,151 --> 01:11:31,553 - Look, I'm not surprised that an NSC staffer 1275 01:11:31,553 --> 01:11:34,523 is unwilling to be drawn out on this point 1276 01:11:34,523 --> 01:11:36,025 on the "NewsHour". 1277 01:11:36,025 --> 01:11:38,894 Doug and I both worked on the NSC staff 1278 01:11:38,894 --> 01:11:42,498 and we wouldn't have done any more than Amanda Sloat did. 1279 01:11:42,498 --> 01:11:46,068 But the administration's very aware 1280 01:11:46,068 --> 01:11:48,370 that it's gotta keep moving forward 1281 01:11:48,370 --> 01:11:51,573 to offer more capabilities if they wanna be able 1282 01:11:51,573 --> 01:11:56,545 to hold off a Russian offensive which is probably coming, 1283 01:11:57,946 --> 01:11:59,748 there seems to be some division within the administration 1284 01:11:59,748 --> 01:12:02,217 as to how likely a new offensive is. 1285 01:12:03,619 --> 01:12:07,623 But you know, Doug is right about one of the sources 1286 01:12:07,623 --> 01:12:10,326 that will empower Russian offensive if it happens 1287 01:12:10,326 --> 01:12:14,463 and that's Iranian drones and support. 1288 01:12:14,463 --> 01:12:16,498 And Zelenskyy was very strong on that. 1289 01:12:16,498 --> 01:12:21,503 He said, the two terrorist states have found each other. 1290 01:12:22,771 --> 01:12:26,608 you're trying to combine hostility to Iran 1291 01:12:26,608 --> 01:12:28,544 with hostility to Russia. 1292 01:12:28,544 --> 01:12:33,382 And he said, we have got to act in order to stop them. 1293 01:12:35,284 --> 01:12:38,554 I'm sure that's gonna be a powerful formula. 1294 01:12:38,554 --> 01:12:41,824 You're going to let the Russians launch an offensive 1295 01:12:41,824 --> 01:12:45,094 that is helped by Iran? 1296 01:12:46,528 --> 01:12:49,131 - And I believe and the two of you can correct me 1297 01:12:49,131 --> 01:12:53,135 but I believe what I understood him to say in so many words 1298 01:12:53,135 --> 01:12:56,271 is if we don't stop Iran in this way now 1299 01:12:56,271 --> 01:12:58,741 in helping the Russians, 1300 01:12:58,741 --> 01:13:01,043 we're gonna see them using this kind of terror, 1301 01:13:01,043 --> 01:13:05,714 these kinds of lethal drones in other theaters. 1302 01:13:05,714 --> 01:13:07,483 So making an appeal- 1303 01:13:07,483 --> 01:13:08,684 Yeah, go ahead. 1304 01:13:08,684 --> 01:13:13,322 - He said that Iran and Russia will be using 1305 01:13:14,723 --> 01:13:17,760 these capabilities against other American allies. 1306 01:13:17,760 --> 01:13:21,563 And I'm sure there he meant allies in Europe, 1307 01:13:21,563 --> 01:13:23,232 allies in the Middle East. 1308 01:13:24,800 --> 01:13:29,405 He is saying there's a terrorist alliance here 1309 01:13:29,405 --> 01:13:33,008 which you members of Congress have got to help 1310 01:13:33,008 --> 01:13:36,879 the administration focus on and act against. 1311 01:13:36,879 --> 01:13:40,249 - And Steve Sestanovich and Doug Lute, 1312 01:13:40,249 --> 01:13:42,551 I'm gonna ask you to stand by because we are now joined 1313 01:13:42,551 --> 01:13:45,020 by the NewsHour's own Jeff Bennett 1314 01:13:45,020 --> 01:13:49,691 who was in the House chamber during tonight's speech. 1315 01:13:49,691 --> 01:13:52,194 Okay, I'm now told that he's not available, sorry. 1316 01:13:52,194 --> 01:13:55,931 We'll go to Jeff as soon as he is available. 1317 01:13:55,931 --> 01:13:58,734 And Doug Lute, pick up on this Iran point 1318 01:13:58,734 --> 01:14:02,905 because it's in the trajectory of this administration's view 1319 01:14:02,905 --> 01:14:07,910 of Iran has been more than interesting to watch. 1320 01:14:09,278 --> 01:14:11,180 They came into office, I think there was some sentiment 1321 01:14:11,180 --> 01:14:15,818 that it would be a good idea to try to get the nuclear deal 1322 01:14:15,818 --> 01:14:17,853 that the Trump administration 1323 01:14:18,921 --> 01:14:20,889 had the United States pulled out of. 1324 01:14:20,889 --> 01:14:25,561 But Iran's behavior since then has changed all that. 1325 01:14:25,561 --> 01:14:27,763 Where do you see that right now? 1326 01:14:27,763 --> 01:14:29,832 - Well, I think this strategic goal remains 1327 01:14:29,832 --> 01:14:32,668 that we are best served, America's interests are best served 1328 01:14:32,668 --> 01:14:35,704 with some sort of agreement with Iran 1329 01:14:35,704 --> 01:14:40,709 with international inspections that delays and complicates 1330 01:14:41,877 --> 01:14:43,212 Iran's move towards a nuclear weapon. 1331 01:14:43,212 --> 01:14:45,247 So I think that's fundamental 1332 01:14:45,247 --> 01:14:46,982 to the administration's position 1333 01:14:46,982 --> 01:14:50,986 and that negotiation continues in fits and starts. 1334 01:14:50,986 --> 01:14:55,023 But meanwhile, tactically and across the Middle East region 1335 01:14:55,023 --> 01:14:58,227 in particular, Iran is already using these very same drones, 1336 01:14:58,227 --> 01:15:01,730 the exact same models that they've now provided to Russia. 1337 01:15:01,730 --> 01:15:05,067 We have seen over Syria, we've seen over Lebanon, 1338 01:15:05,067 --> 01:15:09,538 we've seen in the Saudi Arabian Peninsula states 1339 01:15:09,538 --> 01:15:10,606 and so forth. 1340 01:15:10,606 --> 01:15:11,807 In Iraq. 1341 01:15:11,807 --> 01:15:14,843 So there's a very definite pattern here. 1342 01:15:14,843 --> 01:15:18,413 These are not sophisticated devices but they're produced 1343 01:15:18,413 --> 01:15:20,849 and launched in such large numbers 1344 01:15:20,849 --> 01:15:25,654 that no air defense system can expect 100% success. 1345 01:15:25,654 --> 01:15:27,823 So only in a few of them have to get through 1346 01:15:27,823 --> 01:15:31,293 to knock out an electrical grid or hit a key target. 1347 01:15:31,293 --> 01:15:35,764 - And Doug Lute, is what the United States is giving 1348 01:15:35,764 --> 01:15:40,769 Ukraine right now, does that make it easier 1349 01:15:41,904 --> 01:15:43,805 whether it's Patriot or other systems 1350 01:15:43,805 --> 01:15:45,974 to go after these drones 1351 01:15:45,974 --> 01:15:48,844 or is that technology just not refined yet? 1352 01:15:48,844 --> 01:15:51,179 - Well, the combination of the systems that we've provided 1353 01:15:51,179 --> 01:15:56,184 to Ukraine provide perhaps an 80 to 90% effectiveness rate 1354 01:15:57,019 --> 01:15:58,520 against drones. 1355 01:15:58,520 --> 01:16:02,391 But look, a single drone against a critical 1356 01:16:02,391 --> 01:16:07,229 electrical infrastructure node can knock out a city. 1357 01:16:07,229 --> 01:16:09,398 So they don't have to be a 100% effective 1358 01:16:09,398 --> 01:16:12,401 for them to have a meaningful battlefield effect. 1359 01:16:12,401 --> 01:16:16,138 And that's why going to either the launching source 1360 01:16:16,138 --> 01:16:19,207 of these drones or actually trying to interdict 1361 01:16:19,207 --> 01:16:23,178 the supply chain between Iran and Russia 1362 01:16:23,178 --> 01:16:24,446 might be more lucrative. 1363 01:16:25,814 --> 01:16:27,583 - Steve Sestanovich, while we're waiting for Jeff Bennett, 1364 01:16:27,583 --> 01:16:30,652 I wanna come back to you on this sort of essential question 1365 01:16:30,652 --> 01:16:32,921 of what we can expect from the Russian. 1366 01:16:32,921 --> 01:16:35,123 They've clearly been worn down, 1367 01:16:35,123 --> 01:16:39,061 they've lost a lot of their men, their troops. 1368 01:16:39,061 --> 01:16:41,697 This has been a much tougher challenge for them 1369 01:16:41,697 --> 01:16:44,766 than they ever dreamed apparently in the first place. 1370 01:16:44,766 --> 01:16:47,035 'Cause here we are, it's been almost a year 1371 01:16:47,035 --> 01:16:49,004 and yet they will keep coming. 1372 01:16:49,004 --> 01:16:52,207 And we even heard President Zelenskyy just tonight 1373 01:16:52,207 --> 01:16:55,544 refer to their throwing prisoners or conscripts, 1374 01:16:55,544 --> 01:16:59,314 I don't remember which word he used at this fight. 1375 01:16:59,314 --> 01:17:02,751 What is the expectation that Russia's going to be doing 1376 01:17:02,751 --> 01:17:05,420 in the weeks and the months to come? 1377 01:17:05,420 --> 01:17:08,624 - Well, today the Russian defense minister announced 1378 01:17:08,624 --> 01:17:11,360 an increase in the size of the Russian armed forces 1379 01:17:11,360 --> 01:17:14,463 of 350,000 troops. 1380 01:17:14,463 --> 01:17:19,468 Putin said there's no shortage of any financing 1381 01:17:22,437 --> 01:17:24,106 that you generals have to worry about. 1382 01:17:24,106 --> 01:17:26,875 He was speaking to an annual meeting 1383 01:17:26,875 --> 01:17:29,978 of the military and defense ministry. 1384 01:17:29,978 --> 01:17:33,081 He said, we are gonna do absolutely whatever it is. 1385 01:17:33,081 --> 01:17:38,086 So in the next few months and beyond that, 1386 01:17:39,521 --> 01:17:44,059 you'll be looking at probably a somewhat increased group, 1387 01:17:45,193 --> 01:17:48,730 sort of reinforced troop presence 1388 01:17:48,730 --> 01:17:51,900 in Eastern and southern Ukraine. 1389 01:17:51,900 --> 01:17:55,771 You'll be looking at weapons capabilities 1390 01:17:55,771 --> 01:17:57,739 that they're attempting to restock. 1391 01:17:58,840 --> 01:18:03,578 There will be an attempt to pull conscripts 1392 01:18:03,578 --> 01:18:08,583 and probably an attempt to use the artillery that they have 1393 01:18:09,985 --> 01:18:14,122 and the other drones to wear down Ukrainian support. 1394 01:18:14,122 --> 01:18:17,993 Doug is right that the air defense capabilities 1395 01:18:17,993 --> 01:18:22,998 that the west has given Ukraine enable them to shoot down 1396 01:18:24,199 --> 01:18:28,336 80, 90% of the missiles that come in every day. 1397 01:18:29,971 --> 01:18:33,041 And the Ukrainians triumphantly announce that every day. 1398 01:18:33,041 --> 01:18:37,913 You know, we got 13 of 14, we got 65 of 70. 1399 01:18:37,913 --> 01:18:42,284 But as he also says, all of those that get through 1400 01:18:42,284 --> 01:18:46,254 are taking a tremendous toll on Ukrainian society. 1401 01:18:46,254 --> 01:18:49,057 And that's why President Zelenskyy kept coming back 1402 01:18:49,057 --> 01:18:52,661 to we're observing Christmas Eve in the dark. 1403 01:18:54,129 --> 01:18:58,667 We're cold, we're hungry but we're cheering ourselves up 1404 01:18:59,534 --> 01:19:02,471 and we are determined to win. 1405 01:19:02,471 --> 01:19:05,107 But he said, it depends on you. 1406 01:19:05,107 --> 01:19:06,608 - And you're right, 1407 01:19:06,608 --> 01:19:08,744 you're referring to that very moving ending of his remarks 1408 01:19:08,744 --> 01:19:11,646 where he said at this Christmas, he said, 1409 01:19:11,646 --> 01:19:15,917 "even if it's in the dark, it's the light of our courage 1410 01:19:15,917 --> 01:19:19,755 "of who we are that will keep us going." 1411 01:19:19,755 --> 01:19:23,291 For those of you who may be tuning into this conversation, 1412 01:19:23,291 --> 01:19:28,130 I'm with Doug Lute and Steve Sestanovich talking about 1413 01:19:28,130 --> 01:19:32,367 what the remarks were tonight by Volodymyr Zelenskyy, 1414 01:19:32,367 --> 01:19:34,035 the President of Ukraine. 1415 01:19:34,035 --> 01:19:36,071 If you missed any part of what he said, 1416 01:19:36,071 --> 01:19:38,840 we just wanna bring you now just a quick look 1417 01:19:38,840 --> 01:19:42,277 at one part of his address to this joint meeting 1418 01:19:42,277 --> 01:19:43,178 of the Congress. 1419 01:19:43,178 --> 01:19:43,979 Let's listen. 1420 01:19:45,447 --> 01:19:47,749 - Ladies and gentlemen, Americans, 1421 01:19:47,749 --> 01:19:52,754 in two days we will celebrate Christmas, maybe candle lit. 1422 01:19:58,326 --> 01:20:02,164 Not because it's more romantic, no, 1423 01:20:02,164 --> 01:20:06,802 but because there will be no electricity. 1424 01:20:08,236 --> 01:20:12,874 Millions won't have neither heating nor running water. 1425 01:20:14,376 --> 01:20:17,245 All of these will be the result of Russian missile 1426 01:20:17,245 --> 01:20:21,283 and drone attacks on our energy infrastructure. 1427 01:20:22,684 --> 01:20:24,319 But we do not complain. 1428 01:20:25,687 --> 01:20:29,925 We do not judge and compare whose life is easier. 1429 01:20:31,326 --> 01:20:35,931 Your wellbeing is the product of your national security, 1430 01:20:37,265 --> 01:20:40,535 the result of your struggle for independence 1431 01:20:40,535 --> 01:20:42,637 and your many victories. 1432 01:20:44,072 --> 01:20:48,443 We, Ukrainians, will also go through our War of independence 1433 01:20:48,443 --> 01:20:52,380 and freedom with dignity and success. 1434 01:20:52,380 --> 01:20:54,516 (Congress applauding) 1435 01:20:54,516 --> 01:20:56,785 - That was just one part near the end 1436 01:20:56,785 --> 01:20:58,887 of President Zelenskyy' remarks. 1437 01:20:58,887 --> 01:21:01,489 And I am joined now by our Jeff Bennett, 1438 01:21:01,489 --> 01:21:03,959 he was in the House chamber during this speech. 1439 01:21:03,959 --> 01:21:05,660 Jeff, I have to say, 1440 01:21:05,660 --> 01:21:08,530 I don't think I've seen a foreign leader 1441 01:21:08,530 --> 01:21:12,734 greeted as warmly as President Zelenskyy was tonight. 1442 01:21:12,734 --> 01:21:14,002 - You're right about that, Judy. 1443 01:21:14,002 --> 01:21:15,871 It was an extended standing ovation, 1444 01:21:15,871 --> 01:21:19,107 a minutes long standing ovation before he even said a word. 1445 01:21:19,107 --> 01:21:21,910 To give you a sense of the dynamic that's at play here, 1446 01:21:21,910 --> 01:21:23,411 on this side of Pennsylvania Avenue, 1447 01:21:23,411 --> 01:21:26,014 of course, we saw President Zelenskyy and President Biden 1448 01:21:26,014 --> 01:21:28,149 earlier today on the other side of Pennsylvania Avenue 1449 01:21:28,149 --> 01:21:29,584 at The White House 1450 01:21:29,584 --> 01:21:32,120 but his speech to a joint meeting of Congress, 1451 01:21:32,120 --> 01:21:36,424 his daring and dangerous visit to Washington comes at a time 1452 01:21:36,424 --> 01:21:39,394 when there is a small but powerful 1453 01:21:39,394 --> 01:21:42,497 group of House Republicans who have shown an open hostility 1454 01:21:42,497 --> 01:21:45,033 to authorizing additional humanitarian 1455 01:21:45,033 --> 01:21:47,202 or military aid to Ukraine. 1456 01:21:47,202 --> 01:21:51,072 Back in May, there were 57 House Republicans 1457 01:21:51,072 --> 01:21:54,175 who voted against what was then a $40 billion aid package. 1458 01:21:54,175 --> 01:21:55,677 In the Senate, 1459 01:21:55,677 --> 01:21:58,280 there were 11 Republicans who voted against it. 1460 01:21:58,280 --> 01:21:59,781 Fast forward to the current moment, 1461 01:21:59,781 --> 01:22:02,851 you have both chambers debating and set to take a vote soon 1462 01:22:02,851 --> 01:22:05,153 on what is a sprawling spending package 1463 01:22:05,153 --> 01:22:09,157 which includes another $45 billion worth of aid to Ukraine. 1464 01:22:09,157 --> 01:22:12,928 And Kevin McCarthy, the potential House Republican leader, 1465 01:22:12,928 --> 01:22:14,596 potential House Speaker in waiting 1466 01:22:14,596 --> 01:22:16,498 if he's able to cobble together the votes, 1467 01:22:16,498 --> 01:22:18,833 even though he voted for that package back in May, 1468 01:22:18,833 --> 01:22:20,702 he's now encouraging House Republicans 1469 01:22:20,702 --> 01:22:23,004 to vote against this spending package. 1470 01:22:23,004 --> 01:22:25,507 He has said that he doesn't believe the U.S. 1471 01:22:25,507 --> 01:22:27,509 should be in the position to write, what he calls, 1472 01:22:27,509 --> 01:22:29,110 a blank check to Ukraine. 1473 01:22:29,110 --> 01:22:30,812 What's interesting is that you heard President Zelenskyy 1474 01:22:30,812 --> 01:22:32,714 and his remarks today say 1475 01:22:32,714 --> 01:22:34,883 in effect, that money is not charity. 1476 01:22:34,883 --> 01:22:37,552 What it is, it's an investment in democracy 1477 01:22:37,552 --> 01:22:39,054 around the world. 1478 01:22:39,054 --> 01:22:41,790 Kevin McCarthy is locked in a white knuckle battle 1479 01:22:41,790 --> 01:22:43,158 to emerge as House speaker. 1480 01:22:43,158 --> 01:22:44,626 Right now as I stand and speak to you, 1481 01:22:44,626 --> 01:22:46,461 he doesn't have the votes 1482 01:22:46,461 --> 01:22:49,698 and all of this sort of suggests to me 1483 01:22:49,698 --> 01:22:51,333 that his position will not change 1484 01:22:51,333 --> 01:22:53,134 because he won't become House speaker 1485 01:22:53,134 --> 01:22:56,771 without the support of the Trump supporting far right wing 1486 01:22:56,771 --> 01:22:58,039 of the Republican Party. 1487 01:22:58,039 --> 01:22:59,975 So as that dynamic plays out here, 1488 01:22:59,975 --> 01:23:02,177 what you heard at The White House today 1489 01:23:02,177 --> 01:23:04,546 was White House officials and President Biden himself, 1490 01:23:04,546 --> 01:23:06,448 I believe said some version of this, 1491 01:23:06,448 --> 01:23:08,850 that the address tonight from President Zelenskyy 1492 01:23:08,850 --> 01:23:11,353 was not aimed at any one political party. 1493 01:23:11,353 --> 01:23:15,223 What it was, was his effort to thank the American people 1494 01:23:15,223 --> 01:23:18,059 but also to send a message to Vladimir Putin. 1495 01:23:18,059 --> 01:23:20,295 That Vladimir Putin miscalculated badly 1496 01:23:20,295 --> 01:23:21,763 at the beginning of this war 1497 01:23:21,763 --> 01:23:24,566 and that the U.S. and its allies are determined 1498 01:23:24,566 --> 01:23:27,302 to stand next to Ukraine come with may, 1499 01:23:27,302 --> 01:23:30,805 as President Biden's said today, as long as it takes, Judy. 1500 01:23:30,805 --> 01:23:32,340 - And that message came through. 1501 01:23:32,340 --> 01:23:34,275 It is interesting what you say about what's going on 1502 01:23:34,275 --> 01:23:35,710 in the House among Republicans. 1503 01:23:35,710 --> 01:23:38,546 Meantime, in the Senate, there does seem to be 1504 01:23:38,546 --> 01:23:43,518 a majority support for continuing the assistance to Ukraine. 1505 01:23:43,518 --> 01:23:46,521 So Jeff Bennett was in the chamber, I wanna thank you Jeff 1506 01:23:46,521 --> 01:23:50,258 and also our guest, Steve Sestanovich, Doug Lute. 1507 01:23:50,258 --> 01:23:53,328 That for now concludes our special coverage 1508 01:23:53,328 --> 01:23:56,197 of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's address to Congress, 1509 01:23:56,197 --> 01:23:58,233 to this joint meeting. 1510 01:23:58,233 --> 01:24:00,435 For viewers in the West coast, 1511 01:24:00,435 --> 01:24:03,538 we will have a wrap up on the "NewsHour" broadcast tonight 1512 01:24:03,538 --> 01:24:06,141 and you can follow all of our coverage on our website, 1513 01:24:06,141 --> 01:24:09,077 that's pbs.org/newshour. 1514 01:24:09,077 --> 01:24:11,079 I'm Judy Woodruff, thank you for joining us 1515 01:24:11,079 --> 01:24:12,981 and we hope to see you again soon. 1516 01:24:12,981 --> 01:24:14,049 Have a great evening. 1517 01:24:16,384 --> 01:24:17,886 - [Announcer] This program was made possible 1518 01:24:17,886 --> 01:24:20,121 by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting 1519 01:24:20,121 --> 01:24:22,757 and by contributions to your PBS station 1520 01:24:22,757 --> 01:24:24,325 from viewers like you. 1521 01:24:24,325 --> 01:24:25,160 Thank you. 1522 01:24:26,661 --> 01:24:28,930 (no audio) 1523 01:24:36,037 --> 01:24:38,273 (no 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