Zelenskyy's request to address joint session of U.S. Congress denied
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy (Photo: Getty Images)
The spokesperson for the United States House of Representatives, Republican Kevin McCarthy, announced that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had not been allowed to speak at a joint session of the upper and lower chambers of the United States Congress, according to The Guardian.
The official stated that he had rejected the request from the head of the Ukrainian state to speak at a joint session of the two houses of the U.S. Congress.
According to him, there wasn't enough time for a joint address due to the busy legislative week.
McCarthy also mentioned that arrangements were being made for Zelenskyy to meet with members of Congress. Similar meetings were held for the Prime Ministers of the United Kingdom and Italy during their recent visits.
Zelenskyy's speech in Congress in December
During his previous visit to the U.S. in December 2022, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was given the opportunity to speak at a joint session of the House of Representatives and the Senate.
At that time, he actively called on American lawmakers to provide Ukraine with weapons, including air defense systems and multiple-launch rocket systems.
Zelenskyy also emphasized that the war between Russia and Ukraine was not only about the fate of Ukraine but also about the fate of the civilized world.
Earlier, Ukrainian political analyst Volodymyr Fesenko explained in a comment to RBC-Ukraine that foreign leaders were usually allowed to address the U.S. Congress only once.
The President of Ukraine is on an official visit to the United States since September 18. For more details on what to expect from Zelenskyy's trip, read RBC-Ukraine material.
