Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky visited his country’s wounded soldiers at Staten Island University Hospital on Monday, ahead of the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday.
Zelensky will address the UN Annual General Assembly for the first time since the start of the war in Ukraine.
He wasted no time and went to visit his own wounded soldiers right after arriving in New York, as he shook hands with each of the soldiers on his way to the press conference.
He then proceeded to award honorary medals to the military and hospital staff.
Some of the soldiers he visited were bound to wheelchairs, while others wore prosthetic limbs. The president even helped a soldier, confined to a wheelchair, stand up to pose for a photo together.
Zelensky will speak at the UN Annual General Assembly for the first time since the start of the war in Ukraine
He wasted no time when he went to visit his own wounded soldiers right after arriving in New York, and shook each soldier’s hand as soon as he arrived at the press conference.
The president even helped a soldier, confined to a wheelchair, stand up to pose for a photo together.
Some of the soldiers he visited were bound to wheelchairs, while others wore 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 are heard by our partners.”
“And if in the United Nations there is still a place for Russian terrorists, 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, CEO of Northwell Health, which owns the hospital. Dowling said 18 Ukrainian soldiers had been treated there since March.
“We have an obligation to help as much as possible to resolve this situation in Ukraine,” Dowling said in a live segment of News from the sky.
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. The clinic has helped a total of 35 military personnel over the past year, according to hospital staff and the Ukrainian-American NGO Kind Deeds, which provides prosthetic limbs to war amputees.
kyiv does not disclose the number of war casualties, but U.S. officials estimate the number of dead and wounded Ukrainian troops is approaching 500,000, according to the ministry. New York Times reported last month.
According to a message from Zelensky, he and his wife Olena Zelenska, the First Lady of Ukraine, arrived in the United States for the United Nations 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 toured the facilities of Michael Dowling, CEO of Northwell Health, which owns the hospital. Dowling said 18 Ukrainian soldiers had been treated there since March
Nine Ukrainian soldiers are currently being treated in hospital. The clinic has helped a total of 35 military personnel over 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 are heard by our partners.” “And if in the United Nations there is still a place for Russian terrorists, the question is not addressed to me, I think, it is a question addressed to all members of the United Nations”, – he added.
He then listed the itinerary of events he will attend, including the General Assembly, the SDG Summit, the UN Security Council meeting and “a number of important bilateral talks.”
In Washington DC, he will meet with President Joe Biden, House and party leaders of the US Congress, military leaders, US businesses, journalists and members of the Ukrainian community.
He ended his tweet with: “I will thank the United States, on behalf of Ukraine, for its assistance in our fight for independence and freedom.” 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 a return home.”
