Senators have been invited to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky via Zoom on Saturday, a Senate aide confirmed to The Hill.
The meeting, which would take place on Saturday morning, would be the first time the full Senate has been able to speak with Zelensky since Russian President Vladimir Putin began his invasion of Ukraine late last month.
The meeting comes as lawmakers are working to pass billions in new aid for Ukraine and gives Zelensky the chance to pitch members of Congress directly on what his country needs as it fights back against the Russian invasion. Though Putin has faced setbacks, Russia still has a military advantage over Ukraine and has been attacking multiple key cities.
Zelensky’s talk with lawmakers comes after other Ukrainian officials met with members of Congress earlier this week. Ukrainian ambassador Oksana Markarova met with members of Senate and warned them Ukraine needs more supplies to help fight the Russian military.
Meanwhile, Oleksandra Ustinova, a member of Ukraine’s parliament, told members of the House that causalities in Ukraine would climb without a “no-fly zone” to prevent Moscow from entering Ukraine’s air space. That idea has garnered bipartisan pushback in Washington because it would include U.S. forces potentially having to shoot down Russian planes, putting the two countries in direct conflict.
Zelensky has also been in touch with world leaders, including President Biden, as he urges support for his country, frequently providing updates via social media. The Senate’s Zoom call was first reported by NBC News.
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JUST IN: Senate invited to speak with Zelensky Saturday https://t.co/iqCzuLXOqz pic.twitter.com/uAHNOGcO64
— The Hill (@thehill) March 5, 2022
Czech flags. Ukrainian flags. EU flags.
Vladimir Putin is doing what nobody else could: He's uniting Europe. https://t.co/kDtDbcBac2
— Yascha Mounk (@Yascha_Mounk) March 4, 2022
It’s a shame that President Zelensky has to beg the US for aid to fight the Russians. At one time there wouldn’t be a need for discussion. Whatever was needed by our friends and allies would have been freely given.
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