The Ukrainian president spoke to more than 280 senators and House members in a Zoom call that lasted about an hour. He thanked them for the sanctions the U.S. has slapped on Russia in retaliation for the invasion but underscored the need for more aid.
Zelenskyy reiterated his commitment to defeating Russia and “powerfully made his case for Ukraine and for the principles behind that: defending a sovereign democratic country,” said Rep. Mike Quigley, D-Ill., and co-chair of the Congressional Ukraine Caucus.
“We must provide the Ukrainian people with the support they need in the face of this illegal invasion,” Quigley said. “As Congress is poised to pass additional aid for Ukraine in the coming days, I sincerely hope that this package receives unanimous, bipartisan support.”
Sen. Chris Coons, a Delaware Democrat who sits on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said Congress must swiftly pass $10 billion in emergency supplemental aid to give Ukraine and NATO allies the additional military, economic and humanitarian assistance needed to respond to Russian attacks on civilians and the rapidly growing humanitarian crisis in Eastern Europe.
Sen. Ben Sasse, a Nebraska Republican who sits on the Senate Intelligence Committee, said the U.S. should send more airpower to Ukraine.
“Zelenskyy’s message is simple: ‘Close the skies or give us planes,’” Sasse said in a statement after the call.
Establishing a no-fly zone over Ukraine would mean sending American pilots into combat against Russian jets and air defenses in a battle that could quickly spiral out of control, Sasse said. But the U.S. should send planes, helicopters and unmanned aerial vehicles to Ukraine, he said.
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