Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky ended an hour-long video call with United States senators in which he called for more support to defend his country from Russian aggression.
All 100 US senators were invited to a Zoom call, after which allies told reporters that Zelensky requested the delivery of more planes and drones. Republican Senator James Lankford later tweeted that the Ukrainian president also wanted “the world to stop buying Russian products (like oil and gas).”
According to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, Zelensky made a “desperate plea” to Eastern Europe to provide Ukraine with Russian-made aircraft during the call. “There is a great need for these planes. And I will do everything I can to help the administration to facilitate his transfer,” Schumer said in a statement, Reuters reported.
Congressional leaders are working on a package worth nearly $10 billion in economic and security aid to Ukraine, with allies briefing that fighter jets could be sent through a third country into conflict. Democrat Chris Van Hollen tweeted that NATO should “immediately facilitate the transfer of fighter jets from Poland, Romania and Slovakia to Ukraine.”
Western leaders have so far turned down Zelensky’s request to establish a no-fly zone over Ukraine. But senators expressed strong support for the country after the meeting.
“I and others reaffirmed US support for Ukraine and discussed additional aid the US would send to our allies in the fight for independence. All eyes are on Ukraine as it stands on the front lines protecting democracy,” tweeted Janine Shaheen, a Democrat, while another Democrat, Gary Peters, called Zelensky “a true inspiration”.
Rick Scott, a Republican, called for tough measures against both Russia and Belarus, tweeting that the US should take “every action to destroy their economies”.