Zelensky Holds Video Meeting with 300 US Lawmakers... Requests Military Support and Additional Sanctions on Russia

Volodymyr Zelensky, President of Ukraine
[Photo by Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Byung-hee] Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky held a video conference with hundreds of U.S. lawmakers on the 5th (local time) and strongly requested additional support from the United States.

According to political media outlet Politico and others, President Zelensky met with members of the U.S. House and Senate through the online platform Zoom on that day. It is reported that about 300 lawmakers attended this meeting.

Dressed in a military T-shirt, President Zelensky appealed for more actions such as military aid and sanctions against Russia to end the war, saying this might be the last time they see him alive.

While expressing gratitude for the support from the U.S. and Europe so far, he requested the establishment of a no-fly zone over Ukrainian airspace, a ban on Russian crude oil imports, and additional military support including aircraft, drones, and air defense missiles. He also mentioned the suffering of Ukrainians and said that Russian citizens need to feel the pain of sanctions, calling for blocking visas and MasterCard payment networks.

He called Russia, which is shelling even civilians, a demon, and lamented to the lawmakers, "If you had started sanctions against Russia months ago, the war would not have happened."

Democratic Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer encouraged him by saying, "I am inspired by you and the courage of the Ukrainian people," and some lawmakers reportedly shouted "Slava Ukraini" (Glory to Ukraine) at the end of the meeting to show their support.

The U.S. Congress is preparing to review a $10 billion budget bill requested by President Joe Biden for military and humanitarian aid to Ukraine.

However, among Zelensky’s requests, the ban on Russian crude oil imports has support in Congress, but the Biden administration is taking a cautious stance due to concerns about rising oil prices caused by international supply shortages. The establishment of a no-fly zone is also publicly opposed within Congress. There are concerns that in the worst case, it could lead to a confrontation between NATO and Russia, triggering a world war. NATO has also rejected this demand.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.