aid package
Nearly two weeks after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Zelenskyy, who has survived several assassination attempts, spoke with more than 300 members of the Senate, the House, and congressional aides on a secure Zoom call Saturday to thank the U.S. for its assistance and plead for more help.
“President Zelenskyy made a desperate plea for Eastern European countries to provide Russian-made planes to Ukraine,” said Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer in a statement. “These planes are very much needed. And I will do all I can to help the administration to facilitate their transfer.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (left) and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y. (right)
Schumer told Zelenskyy the U.S. lawmakers are inspired by him and by the strength and courage of the Ukrainian people, according to another person on the call who was granted anonymity to discuss it.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/zelenskyy-pleads-for-u-s-assistance-schumer-offers-bipartisan-support-for-biden-s-10b-ukrainian-aid-package/ar-AAUEQZx
Zelenskyy's emotional, direct Zoom plea to Congress: No-fly zone, Russian oil ban, more military aid
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy implored U.S. lawmakers on Saturday to do more to force Russian leader Vladimir Putin to the negotiating table and end the war on his country — including the establishment of a no-fly zone, additional direct aid and a ban on oil imports from Moscow.
In a private Zoom call with Senate and House members, Zelenskyy expressed appreciation for the actions taken so far by the U.S. and NATO allies as Russia continues assaulting Ukraine, including sanctions and weapons transfers, according to five people who participated in the call. But Zelenskyy made a direct appeal for more, those people said, including planes, drones, and Stinger anti-aircraft missiles.
The Ukrainian leader also urged the U.S. to ban Russian oil imports — a cause with bipartisan support on the Hill but plenty of domestic political volatility — and target its sanctions regime directly at the Russian people, the people said. He called on lawmakers to pressure eastern-flank NATO partners to approve the transfer of planes that Ukrainian pilots are already trained to fly.
An emotional Zelenskyy told participants on the call, who numbered more than 300, that it might be the last time they see him alive. He sought to tie Russia's war on Ukraine directly to European security by noting that Ukraine has 15 nuclear plants, contending that continued bloodshed could cause a nuclear disaster with ramifications for the entire continent.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/zelenskyy-s-emotional-direct-zoom-plea-to-congress-no-fly-zone-russian-oil-ban-more-military-aid/ar-AAUEQQZ
Zelensky asks Congress for no-fly zone, restricting imports of Russian oil
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky participated in a call with a bipartisan group of over 280 U.S. members of Congress on Saturday morning, during which the lawmakers said he laid out ways the U.S. could help his country's fight against Russia.
Over Zoom, Zelensky requested additional airplanes, a restriction of oil imports from Russia and the establishment of a no-fly zone over Ukrainian airspace.
Both Democrats and Republicans lauded Zelensky after their virtual meeting and pledged to do what they could to assist Ukraine.
"Honored to hear from @ZelenskyyUa as he takes every measure to defend Ukraine from illegal Russian aggression & Putin's indiscriminate attacks on civilians. Zelenskyy's resilience & commitment to the people of Ukraine inspire the world. Proud to stand with you Mr. President," the Senate Foreign Relations Committee tweeted.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/zelensky-asks-congress-for-no-fly-zone-block-purchases-of-russian-oil/ar-AAUEWqe
Zelensky calls for no-fly zone and harsher sanctions on Russia in Zoom meeting with US lawmakers
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky told US lawmakers Saturday that his country urgently needs more assistance from the US, including the establishment of a no-fly zone over Ukraine, as it fights against Russia's invasion.
During an hourlong Zoom meeting Saturday morning with members of Congress, Zelensky thanked the US for the support it has delivered so far, but called for more military support and greater sanctions on Russia, including on energy, according to a person familiar with the session.
The Ukrainian leader advocated banning Russian oil imports and suspending all commercial transactions, like Visa and Mastercard, a senator on the call told CNN.
Zelensky also implored the lawmakers to help Ukraine get more planes that Ukrainian pilots are trained in and can fly, according to the senator.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/zelensky-calls-for-no-fly-zone-and-harsher-sanctions-on-russia-in-zoom-meeting-with-us-lawmakers/ar-AAUEHN3
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