Zelenskyy speaks to more than 300 US lawmakers
Ukrainian President Volodymr Zelenskyy spoke to over 300 senators, members of Congress and top Hill staff on Saturday, pleading for more lethal and military aid.
Zelenskyy, on an hourlong Zoom call, asked U.S. lawmakers for weapons including drones, planes and stingers; the implementation of a "no-fly" zone over Ukraine; a full ban on the import of Russian oil to the U.S.; and a suspension of the use of Visa and MasterCard in Russia.
In a statement made after the call, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said, “President Zelenskyy made a desperate plea for Eastern European countries to provide Russian-made planes to Ukraine. These planes are very much needed. And I will do all I can to help the administration to facilitate their transfer.”
According to a source who attended the meeting, Schumer started the call by addressing Zelenskyy, saying, “Mr. President, we are inspired by you and the strength and courage of the Ukrainian people. The people of New York and its large Ukrainian community stand with you."
![](https://s.abcnews.com/images/International/Graham-ap-er-220305_1646501933908_hpMain.jpg)
“Senator McConnell and I, along with the other members on this zoom, are working very hard in a bipartisan fashion to get all the assistance the administration has requested for the Ukrainian people. Together we will get that assistance of over $10 billion in economic, humanitarian and security assistance to the Ukrainian people quickly," Schumer said.
One senator on the call told ABC News' Rachel Scott that at one point, dozens of attendees unmuted and said "Thank you, Mr President," "We support you," "Slava Ukraini" and "We will help you."
The senator told Scott that Zelenskyy "was clearly moved by the cascade of voices lifted in support."
Senators Rob Portman and Jeanne Shaheen, who recently traveled to Ukraine, are expected to send a letter asking the Department of Defense to send F16 planes to Eastern European countries who donate MiG aircrafts to Ukraine. Poland has said it is willing to do this.
Another senator told ABC News that there are serious concerns about Zelenskyy's safety, saying, "If he’s dead it makes it that much easier for Russians to seize control. If there isn’t a legitimate government we recognize it’s harder to help."
According to a source, Zelensky said he and his family have been targeted.
The U.S. Department of the Treasury said Friday that sanctions don't start until June and omit Russian oil and gas. Senators are going to call for immediate tightening.
-ABC News' Trish Turner, Rachel Scott, Mariam Khan and Ben Siegel