Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky (middle) addresses the US Congress as US Vice President Kamala Harris (left) and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (right) hold a Ukrainian national flag (Picture: Getty Images)

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky addressed US Congress in his surprise first trip since Russia’s invasion, saying next year would be a ‘turning point’ in the war.

Appearing before a joint session of Congress on Wednesday night, Zelensky received a standing ovation. He said ‘Ukraine is alive and kicking’ and that ‘Russian tyranny has lost control over us’.

Zelensky said that ‘next year will be a turning point, I know it, the point when Ukrainian courage and American resolve’ will ‘guarantee the future of our common freedom’. 

He read from a speech on the podium and spoke entirely in English, vowing that his country ‘will win because we are united — Ukraine, America and the entire free world’.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is on his first known foreign trip since Russia invaded more than 300 days ago (Picture: EPA)

Zelensky recited the words of America’s 32nd president, Franklin Delano Roosevelt.

‘”The American people in their righteous might will win through absolute victory,”‘ Zelenskyy said. ‘The Ukrainian people will win too. Absolutely.’

He urged Congress to approve more funding to aid Ukraine.

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky addressed Congress in his first trip since Russia’s invasion.