Poroshenko says he's ready to discuss everything, except one thing -- "Ukrainian independence, Ukrainian territorial integrity..."
Poroshenko speaks of "spirit of hate" between Russia/Ukraine
— Dan Peleschuk (@dpeleschuk) September 18, 2014
Poroshenko says he is in daily contact with world leaders, including the Russian leadership. That dialogue, he says, "believe me, is not easy."
Ukraine's Poroshenko has just called Russia a 'neo-Stalinist dictatorship'
— Maxim Eristavi (@MaximEristavi) September 18, 2014
More American rhetoric from Poroshenko: tell heart-rending stories of individual Ukrainian citizens abducted and tortured, quote Kennedy:
— max seddon (@maxseddon) September 18, 2014
After paying tribute to some Ukrainians who were abducted and presumbaly killed by separatists, Poroshenko says Ukraine symbolizes a simple choice between "civilization and barbarism."
Poroshenko speech very calculated to appeal to Americans: values come first, fight for freedom, defend ourselves like Israel
— max seddon (@maxseddon) September 18, 2014
"I am not talking about a military solution to the Crimea problem. This will be a dilemma for many years." @Poroshenko
— Isaac Webb (@isaacdwebb) September 18, 2014
And now we'll have some tweets:
Poroshenko on Ukrainian soldiers: "They need more military support, both lethal and nonlethal...Urgently needed."
— RFE/RL (@RFERL) September 18, 2014
#Poroshenko 'Night vision and blankets are important, but one cannot win the war with blankets'
— Conflict News (@rConflictNews) September 18, 2014
Poroshenko: Ukraine needs lethal & non-lethal assistance. We can't win the war with blankets. And we can't keep the peace with blankets
— Maxim Eristavi (@MaximEristavi) September 18, 2014
I urge America to help us and to rise and be equal to its natural and manifest role – I urge America to lead the way!
— Петро Порошенко (@poroshenko) September 18, 2014
Yowza, @Poroshenko plays the Israel card. "Just like Israel, #Ukraine has the right to defend her territory."
— Isaac Webb (@isaacdwebb) September 18, 2014
Poroshenko: "I strongly encourage the United States to give Ukraine special, non-allied, partner status."
— RFE/RL (@RFERL) September 18, 2014
Poroshenko: calls for a "special security and defense status" reflecting the highest level of non-NATO alignment.
— RFE/RL (@RFERL) September 18, 2014
Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko is about to address a joint session of the U.S. Congress, so stay tuned as we'll be following it live here.
A very relaxed-looking Poroshenko is now in the House chamber. He recieved quite a welcome and it took a good few minutes for him to make his way to the podium.
He's about to speak now:
Speaking in fluent English, he praises the United States for the unity of its Congress and its solidarity with Ukraine.
He is now praising the men and women of Ukraine who are now "standing on the forefront of the global battle for democracy." His words receive a short standing ovation.
He praises those U.S. politicians who "stood with" the protesters on the Maidan. He also takes time to praise the so-called "heavenly hundred" protesters who were killed in one day on the Maidan last winter.
Making reference to the Budapest Memorandum, he calls the Russian annexation of Crimea and act of "criminal treachery" and criticizes Russia's "imperial mindset."
Citing Abkhazia, South Ossetia, and other frozen conflicts, Poroshenko urges the world not to let Ukraine "stand alone."
He says democracies must stand together...or they will be eliminated.
Here's another update from our news desk:
Kyiv says Russia has massed 4,000 troops in Crimea near the land bridge that links the annexed peninsula with Ukraine’s southern region of Kherson.
Ukrainian military spokesman Andriy Lysenko on September 18 said the Russian forces were deployed “with all their equipment and ammunition.”
He said Kyiv has reinforced its forces in eastern Ukraine with more troops and new equipment amid a shaky two-week-old cease-fire with pro-Russian separatists.
Lysenko spoke hours before Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko was to address the U.S. Congress and meet President Barack Obama.
On September 16, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said a top Russian military priority was to increase its presence in Crimea.
Russia’s annexation of Crimea in March has been declared illegal by the United States, the European Union, and the UN General Assembly.
(Reuters, AP, AFP, DPA, ITAR-TASS, and Interfax)
Ukraine President @Poroshenko has begun his working visit to the US. https://t.co/H6t8fwNm4R
— Christopher Miller (@ChristopherJM) September 18, 2014