Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will ask Congress for more military equipment when he addresses lawmakers on Wednesday, as the White House is under pressure to be more aggressive in its response to the Russian invasion.
Zelenskiy is expected to ask for help bolstering his country’s ground-based air defense system and may issue a call for fighter jets, which the Biden administration dismissed when he delivers his video message.
He will also “name and shame” the West for not doing enough to defend their country, the Political Book reported, though he is also expected to balance his remarks with gratitude.
‘[Zelensky] “a heroic figure, and for good reason – people pay him respect and want to say yes to him,” Democratic Senator Chris Murphy told reporters on Capitol Hill on Monday.
“If I were Zelensky, I would ask for the moon. But it is up to us to decide what is in the interests of our national security, ”Murphy said.
Zelenskiy could also step up pressure on lawmakers to establish a no-fly zone over Ukraine, something the Biden administration has refused to do for fear of an escalation with Russia.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will ask Congress for more military equipment during a speech to MPs on Wednesday.
Ukrainian soldiers inspect the ruins of a destroyed residential building in Kyiv as Russian troops continue to bomb the city
Legislators are divided on what level of support should be given to Ukraine.
But Congress has successfully pressured President Joe Biden and his administration to take tougher action against Russia, including banning Russian oil and gas along with luxury goods.
Ahead of Zelenskiy’s speech, Speaker Nancy Pelosi ruled out the no-fly zone at an event in New York on Monday.
“If we were to shoot down Russian planes, that would be the start of World War III,” she said, echoing the administration’s argument that if the US imposed a no-fly zone, American planes would have to enforce it, leading to a potential standoff with Russia.
Zelensky offered a possible preview of his speech on Tuesday during a video call to British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and representatives from the Baltic and Nordic countries gathered in London.
He expressed disappointment at NATO’s refusal to introduce a no-fly zone as Kyiv continues to be shelled. Russian troops launched new attacks on the capital of Ukraine.
Zelenskiy accused NATO leaders of being “hypnotized” by Russia.
“We hear a lot of talk about a third world war, that allegedly it could start if NATO closes the Ukrainian skies to Russian missiles and aircraft, so a humanitarian no-fly zone has not yet been established,” he said.
“This allows the Russian army to shell peaceful cities and blow up residential areas, hospitals and schools.
“Early in the morning, four high-rise buildings were shelled in Kyiv, dozens of people were killed.”
He demanded “separate security guarantees” for his country.
He also said that the tough economic sanctions imposed by the West on Vladimir Putin, his inner circle and Russian banks are not enough.
He called for a complete trade embargo with Russia, a ban on Russian warships from ports around the world, and the exclusion of all Russian banks from the Swift financial messaging system.
A firefighter leaves a destroyed apartment building after an explosion in a residential area of Kyiv.
Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer pushed for help to Ukraine but backed the Biden administration’s line that a no-fly zone could lead to World War III.
Members of Parliament gave Zelensky a standing ovation as he spoke to British lawmakers last week.
The Ukrainian president, who has earned praise for his leadership of the country during the crisis, asked to speak directly to members of Congress, according to the Wall Street Journal.
His speech, which will be delivered to lawmakers behind closed doors in a room at the Capitol Visitor Center, will be broadcast on television networks, giving him the opportunity to also address the American public when he addresses Congress in person.
The deputies provided financial support to Ukraine.
The US government’s consolidated funding bill included $13.6 billion in aid to Ukraine.
“Congress remains unwavering in our commitment to support Ukraine … and pass legislation that will hurt and isolate the Russian economy, and provide Ukraine with humanitarian, security and economic assistance,” Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said in a joint statement. a statement announcing Zelensky’s intentions. speech.
And President Biden and his administration highlighted the humanitarian aid and equipment they provided to Ukraine. Officials also pointed to tough sanctions in place against Russia.
But the Pentagon last week turned down a Polish offer to hand over planes to the United States, which could then be sent to Ukraine.
In a letter to Biden, 42 Republican senators expressed their disappointment with the decision, writing that they “strongly disagree with the Department of Defense’s decision to delay and deny Poland the ability to transfer fighter jets to Ukraine.”
Some Democrats also disagreed with the administration’s position.
Meanwhile, lawmakers are expected to pass legislation this week that would strip Russia of its preferred trade status after Biden, along with G7 leaders, said the US would downgrade the Kremlin’s trade status.
In his speech on Wednesday, Zelenskiy is expected to showcase the same Winston Churchill tone he used when he spoke to British lawmakers last week as he hopes to use his public goodwill with the help he wants from Congress.
“We will not give up and we will not lose. We will fight to the end, at sea, in the air, we will continue to fight for our land, no matter what the cost,” he said in the British House of Commons.
“We will fight in the forests, in the fields, on the banks, in the streets.”
British legislators gave him a standing ovation.