President Volodymyr Zelenskiy told the U.S. Congress that help to Ukraine was an investment in democracy and "not charity" as he cited American victories over the Nazis in World War II to request more significant funding for Ukraine's war effort.

Democrats will relinquish control of the U.S. House of Representatives to Republicans on January 3. Some Republicans have shown growing skepticism about delivering so much help to Ukraine. Zelensky's remarks on Wednesday came as Republicans prepared to assume the chamber's control.

Some conservative Republicans have called for a stop to aid and an audit to determine how the allocated funds were spent.

"Your contribution is not charity. We handle this investment in global security and democracy with the utmost responsibility. "In English, Zelenskiy addressed a joint session of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives.

Zelenskiy stated as he pleaded for bipartisan support, that the world is too intertwined for any nation to stand apart and feel safe.

On his first overseas wartime travel, Zelenskiy met with President Joe Biden, who urged continued support through 2023. Zelenskiy was sporting his signature olive green pants and sweater.

In addition, the United States pledged an additional $1.85 billion in military supplies for Ukraine, including a Patriot air defense system to help it repel Russian missile barrages.

The Patriot system, according to Zelenskiy, was a crucial step in establishing an air shield.

"This is the only way to deprive the terrorist state of its primary instrument of terror - the ability to attack our cities and our energy," Zelenskiy said at a White House press conference alongside Vice President Joe Biden.

"We would like to recruit more Patriots... we are at war," Zelenskiy told White House reporters.

Russia claims it began its "special military operation" in Ukraine in February to cleanse the country of nationalists and defend Russian-speaking communities. Ukraine and the West characterize Russia's actions as an unprovoked aggressive war.

In recent weeks, Russia has repeatedly targeted Ukraine's energy infrastructure, leaving millions without electricity or running water amid winter.

TASS quoted the Russian ambassador to the United States as saying that Zelenskiy's visit proved that U.S. assertions about not wanting a fight with Russia were empty rhetoric.

TASS quoted Anatoly Antonov as saying that the United States' subversive activities in Ukraine led to an escalation whose repercussions were unimaginable.

Russia stated this week that if Ukraine received Patriot systems, they would be a suitable target for Russian strikes.

Invokes World War II

Zelenskiy joined a long list of international leaders who have addressed joint gatherings of the U.S. Senate and House. This tradition began in 1874 with a visit by Hawaiian King Kalakaua and has included nearly legendary wartime trips by British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, monarchs, queens, and one pope.

House members and senators of both parties rose to applaud portions of Zelenskiy's speech in which he compared his nation's conflict to World War II and even the American Revolution.

Zelenskiy appealed to Americans as they celebrated Christmas with their families by referencing former U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt, who served from 1933 to 1945, and the struggle to free Europe from Nazi occupation.

"Just as courageous American soldiers maintained their positions and repelled Hitler's assault on Christmas Day in 1944, courageous Ukrainian soldiers are doing the same to Putin's forces this Christmas," he stated.

Congress is close to approving an additional $44.9 billion in emergency military and economic aid, in addition to the roughly $50 billion already provided to Ukraine this year, as Europe's most significant land conflict since World War II continues.

John Kirby, the National Security Council of the White House spokesperson, stated that Washington saw no indication that Russian President Vladimir Putin was eager to engage in peacemaking.

Dmitry Peskov, a spokesman for the Kremlin, stated that any Western arms shipments to Ukraine would "deepen" the crisis.

A "fair peace" with Russia, according to Zelenskiy, would not compromise Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Bakhmut

The Ukrainian military reported on Wednesday evening that Russian forces targeted targets in the Zaporizhzhia region and advanced near the destroyed eastern front-line villages of Bakhmut and Avdiivka, the epicenter of combat in the Donetsk region.

Commander of Ukraine's military "Freedom" unit, Petro Kuzyk, who is assisting in the defense of Bakhmut, told the website of Espresso TV: "Every day, between seven and ten assaults, are made to storm our positions. And the same holds at night."

"They won't be able to take Bakhmut, but if they seize the heights above it, set up their artillery, and block our logistical arteries, the situation will become much more challenging," Kuzyk added.

Putin has pledged to provide his troops with all the resources necessary to conduct the war, which is reaching its tenth month and has supported a plan to increase the number of the armed forces by more than 30 percent.