‘Stay strong’: Volodymyr Zelensky visits wounded Ukrainian soldiers at New York City hospital saying ‘thank you for your service’ – before branding Russian UN delegation ‘terrorists’
Volodymyr Zelensky visited his country’s wounded soldiers at Staten Island University Hospital ahead of the United Nations General Assembly.
Zelensky will speak at the annual UN General Assembly for the first time since the start of the war against Ukraine.
He wasted no time in visiting his own wounded soldiers after arriving in New York, shaking their hands as he walked into the press conference.
He then presented medals of honor to the soldiers and members of the hospital staff.
Some of the soldiers he visited were wheelchair-bound, while others had prosthetic limbs. The president even helped a soldier, who was in a wheelchair, stand up to pose for a photo together.
Zelensky will speak at the annual UN General Assembly for the first time since the start of the war against Ukraine
He wasted no time in visiting his own wounded soldiers right after arriving in New York, shaking hands with each of the soldiers as soon as he walked into the press conference.
The president even helped a soldier, who was in a wheelchair, stand up to pose for a photo together
Some of the soldiers he visited were wheelchair-bound, while others had prosthetic limbs
During his visit, President Zelensky told reporters at Staten Island University Hospital: “For us it is very important that all our words, all our messages will be heard by our partners.”
“And if there is still a place for Russian terrorists in the United Nations, then the question is not for me, I think, but for all members of the United Nations,” he added.
He also toured the facility with Michael Dowling, the CEO of Northwell Health, which owns the hospital. Dowling said 18 Ukrainian soldiers have been treated there since March.
“We have a duty to help as much as we can with this situation in Ukraine,” Dowling said in live footage Sky News.
In a large hospital room, the Ukrainian president watched as several soldiers in khaki uniforms practiced walking and lifting weights with newly acquired prosthetic legs and arms.
Nine Ukrainian soldiers are currently being treated in hospital. According to hospital officials and the Ukrainian-American NGO Kind Deeds, which provides prosthetics to war amputees, the clinic has helped a total of 35 service members in the past year.
Kiev does not release war casualty figures, but U.S. officials estimate the number of dead and wounded Ukrainian soldiers is nearly 500,000. New York Times reported last month.
According to a message from Zelensky, he and his wife Olena Zelenska, the First Lady of Ukraine, have arrived in the US for the UN General Assembly and to visit Washington DC.
In a large hospital room, the Ukrainian president watched as several soldiers in khaki uniforms practiced walking and lifting weights with newly acquired prosthetic legs and arms.
He also gave a tour of the facility to Michael Dowling, the CEO of Northwell Health, which owns the hospital. Dowling said 18 Ukrainian soldiers have been treated there since March
Nine Ukrainian soldiers are currently being treated in hospital. The clinic has helped a total of 35 soldiers in the past year
During his visit, President Zelensky told reporters at Staten Island University Hospital: “For us it is very important that all our words, all our messages will be heard by our partners.” βAnd if there is still a place for Russian terrorists in the United Nations, then the question is not for me, I think, but for all members of the United Nations,β he added.
He then listed his schedule of events he will attend, including the General Assembly, the SDG summit, the UN Security Council meeting and “a number of important bilateral conversations.”
In Washington DC, he will meet with President Joe Biden, leaders of the chambers and parties of the US Congress, military leaders, US companies, journalists and members of the Ukrainian community.
He ended his tweet with: βI will thank the United States on behalf of Ukraine for its assistance in our struggle for independence and freedom.β His text was followed by emojis of the Ukrainian flag and the American flag.
As he left the hospital, he said, “I wish you victory and to come home again.”