The President Volodymyr Zilenskyy opened a private video conference with U.S. lawmakers, telling them that this could be their last chance to see him alive. He has remained in Kyiv which is home to a large Russian-armored column that threatens from the north.
He wore his trademark green army-green shirt, and stood in front of a wall bearing the Ukrainian flag. He told them that Ukraine must secure its skies. This could be done either by NATO imposing a no fly zone or providing more warplanes to help Ukraine better defend itself. Zelenskyy has been asking for a no fly zone for many days. NATO refused to grant it, saying that it could lead to a war with Russia.
An hour-long exchange took place with 300 members of Congress as well as their staffs. Russian troops continued to bombard cities and the number of Ukrainians fleeing the country grew by 1.4 million.
“President Zelenskyy made an urgent plea,” stated Chuck Schumer, Senate Majority Leader.
Zelenskyy stated that he wants the U.S. facilitate the transfer planes from Eastern European allies. Schumer stated, “I will do everything I can to assist the administration in facilitating their transfer.”
The U.S. may send F-16s made in America as backfill to countries of the former Soviet bloc, which are now NATO members. They would then send Ukraine Soviet-era MiGs that their pilots can fly, and they could also send them to Ukraine.
However, there appears to be a logistical issue in sending F-16s to Poland and other East European allies due to a production backlog. These countries would have to surrender their MiGs to Ukraine and accept an IOU for F-16s from the U.S. Further complicating matters is the fact that F-16s are due to arrive in Taiwan’s next shipment. Congress wouldn’t be reluctant to hold off on those deliveries, as it looks at China.
After meeting with Dymtro Kuleba, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dymtro Kuleba, Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated that fighter jets are being considered.
Reporters were told by Blinken that they are discussing and working on everything.
Blinken stated that the U.S. support of Ukraine was “not only unprecedented, but it will continue to increase.”
The U.S. Congress is currently working on a $10 million package of humanitarian and military aid for Ukraine. According to someone on the call, Schumer said that Zelenskyy lawmakers hoped to send it to Ukraine quickly.
Senator Republican Leader Mitch McConnell was asked what type of military support his country requires. Zelenskyy replied that drones and planes were the best options.
According to two people who spoke anonymously, Joe Manchin, a Democratic Senator from West Virginia, asked Zelenskyy about his idea to ban the import of Russian oil into the United States. They stated that Zelenskyy had indicated that such a ban would help put pressure on Russia.
Republicans and a growing number Democrats, including Speaker Nancy Pelosi support the idea of a Russian oil import ban. Concerned about rising oil prices, the Biden administration has sofar resisted this step.
Zelenskyy asked U.S. lawmakers for sanctions on Russia’s oil-and-gas sector. Russia has so far avoided the increasing sanctions imposed by the Biden administration as well as other countries.
He also asked lawmakers to close Visa and Mastercard access in Russia. The two companies announced that they had done so on Saturday. Mastercard announced that cards issued by Russian banks would no longer be supported by the network, and any card issued in Russia will not work at ATMs or stores. Visa stated that it is working with partners and clients in Russia to stop all Visa transactions in the coming days.
After the call, Senator Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) posted a video to Twitter, saying: “Anything that could harm the Russian economy will benefit the Ukrainian people and may make the war more difficult for Putin.”
Zelenskyy’s office stated that he suggested to the U.S. that an embargo be placed on all Russian goods, and that Russia lose its status as most-favored nation trade partner.
Lawmakers worry that Zelenskyy could be killed by the Russian invasion. They also worry that a Ukrainian government under attack will not be able to function and receive aid.
One lawmaker asked Zelenskyy diplomatically what would happen to him if he were killed. However, he pleaded with Congress to help Ukraine resist Russia’s attack on its country.
Senator Ben Sasse (Republican from Nebraska) stated in a statement that Zelenskyy’s message was “simple: close the skies or give me planes.”