WASHINGTON --
Preventing for his nation's survival, Ukraine's chief made a "determined" plea Saturday to American lawmakers for america to assist get extra warplanes to his army and reduce off Russian oil imports as Kyiv tries to stave off the Russian invasion.
President Volodymyr Zelensky opened the non-public video name with U.S. lawmakers by telling them this can be the final time they see him alive. He has remained in Kyiv, the capital, which has an enormous Russian armored column threatening from the north.
Showing in what's now his trademark army-green shirt in entrance of a white wall with the Ukrainian flag, he informed them Ukraine must safe its skies, both by a no-fly zone enforced by NATO or by the availability of extra warplanes so Ukraine might higher defend itself. Zelensky has been pleading for a no-fly zone for days, however NATO has refused, saying it might provoke a widespread conflict with Russia.
The hourlong alternate with some 300 members of Congress and their staffs got here as Russian troops continued to shell encircled cities and the variety of Ukrainians who've fled the nation grew to 1.4 million.
"President Zelensky made a determined plea," stated Senate Majority Chief Chuck Schumer.
He stated Zelensky needs the U.S. to facilitate the switch of planes from Japanese European allies. "I'll do all I can to assist the administration to facilitate their switch," Schumer stated.
The U.S. is contemplating sending American-made F-16s as backfill to former Soviet bloc international locations in Japanese Europe that are actually members of NATO. They, in flip, would ship Ukraine their very own Soviet-era MiGs, which Ukrainian pilots are skilled to fly.
There seems to be a logistical downside, nonetheless, in sending the F-16s to Poland or different East European allies due to a manufacturing backlog. These international locations would primarily have to provide their MiGs to the Ukrainians and settle for an IOU from the U.S. for the F-16s. The state of affairs is additional difficult as a result of the subsequent cargo of F-16s is ready for Taiwan, and Congress could be reluctant to delay these deliveries because it eyes China.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken indicated the fighter jets are into consideration after assembly with Ukrainian Overseas Minister Dymtro Kuleba on the Poland-Ukraine border outdoors the city of Korczowa.
"We're speaking about and dealing on every little thing," Blinken informed reporters.
Blinken reiterated that the U.S. assist for Ukraine "not solely has been unprecedented, not solely is it going to proceed, it is going to improve."
The U.S. Congress is engaged on a US$10 billion bundle of army and humanitarian assist to Ukraine. Schumer informed Zelensky lawmakers hope to ship it rapidly to Ukraine, in response to an individual on the decision and granted anonymity to debate it.
When Senate Republican chief Mitch McConnell requested concerning the varieties of army assist his nation wants, Zelensky stated drones in addition to planes could be essentially the most useful.
Through the name, Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia requested Zelensky concerning the concept of banning the import of Russian oil to the U.S., in response to two different folks granted anonymity to debate the non-public name. They stated Zelensky indicated such a ban could be efficient in placing stress on Russia.
Republicans and a rising variety of Democrats, together with Speaker Nancy Pelosi, again the thought of an Russian oil import ban. The Biden administration has thus far resisted that step, apprehensive about rising costs on the pump.
Zelensky urged U.S. lawmakers to sanction Russia's oil and gasoline sector, which has thus far escaped the mounting sanctions imposed by the Biden administration and different international locations. He additionally urged lawmakers to droop Visa and Mastercard bank card entry in Russia.
"Something that would harm the Russian financial system will assist the Ukrainian folks and should make this conflict harder for Putin," Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., stated in a video posted to Twitter after the decision.
Zelensky's workplace stated he additionally instructed the U.S. contemplate imposing an embargo on all Russian items and stripping Russia of its most-favored-nation commerce standing.
Lawmakers are involved that Zelensky shall be killed within the Russian invasion. They're additionally apprehensive that a Ukrainian authorities beneath assault shall be unable to operate and to obtain assist.
When one lawmaker requested diplomatically what would occur if he was killed, Zelensky acknowledged the issues however implored Congress to do no matter it may to assist Ukraine struggle off Russia's assault on his nation.
Sen. Ben Sasse, R-Neb., stated in an announcement that Zelensky's "message is easy: 'shut the skies or give us planes."'
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Related Press writers Matthew Lee in Korczowa, Poland, and Michael Balsamo contributed to this report.
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