'I need your decision': Zelenskiy urges U.S. Congress to help protect Ukraine

"Russia has turned the Ukrainian sky into a source of death for thousands of people," Zelenskiy said in his virtual address before showing a video containing graphic images of death and destruction in Ukraine that ended with "close the sky over Ukraine."

Zelenskiy continued his push for the imposition of a no-fly zone over Ukraine and asked for more planes and defence systems to respond to a Russian invasion launched last month that has caused large-scale destruction in his country and has unleashed a wave of refugees. He also called for more economic sanctions against Russia.

Ukraine is facing terror that Europe had not experienced since World War Two and the nation's destiny is being decided, Zelenskiy told the U.S. lawmakers through an interpreter.

"Is this a lot to ask for - to create a no-fly zone over Ukraine to save people? Is this too much?" Zelenskiy asked in his remarks made from Kyiv, his country's capital that is under attack every day but, he said, "doesn't give up."

Zelenskiy closed his address with a direct plea in English to Biden: "I wish you to be the leader of the world. Being the leader of the world means to be the leader of peace."

Along with NATO, Biden and many U.S. lawmakers have resisted a no-fly zone amid concerns that it would escalate the conflict with nuclear-armed Russia. The White House so far also has not supported a proposal to help transfer Russian-made MiG warplanes into Ukraine, though that idea has some support in Congress.

Zelenskiy invoked American history, asking the lawmakers to remember the 1941 Japanese bombing of Hawaii's Pearl Harbor, the 2001 al Qaeda attacks on the United States and civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr.'s 1963 "I have a dream" speech in Washington.

"I have a dream. These words are known to each of you today. I can say: I have a need. I need to protect our sky," Zelenskiy said.

Zelenskiy received a standing ovation before and after his remarks, with House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi introducing him with Ukrainian words meaning "glory to Ukraine." At the conclusion of his remarks, Zelenskiy waved over the video feed and put his hand on his chest in thanks for the reception.

Zelenskiy's address to lawmakers in Washington came a day after he made a plea to Canada's parliament for more Western sanctions on Russia and the imposition of a no-fly zone over Ukraine. He made similar appeals to the British and European parliaments this month.

Zelenskiy has sought in recent weeks to shore up support for his country in various speeches to foreign audiences, also including the European Parliament and the British Parliament.

Russia calls its actions in Ukraine a "special operation."