During an emotional virtual address to a joint session of Congress, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy asked lawmakers and President Biden to do more for his embattled country.
Zelenskyy expressed gratitude to Biden and thanked the United States for the help that has been provided but asked for more military assistance to defend from Russian attacks.
Biden responded by pledging that the U.S. will supply ongoing aid for Ukraine and announced $800 million in security assistance that will send 800 anti-aircraft systems, 9,000 anti-armor systems, drones, small arms and 20 million rounds of ammunition to Ukraine.
Zelenskyy’s request for a no-fly zone will go unanswered. There is opposition to the request among many lawmakers and at the White House. Many fear it could lead to direct conflict with Moscow.
“There is bipartisan support for sending a package that includes fighter jets and air defense systems to Ukraine immediately so that we can have a Ukrainian no-fly zone, manned by Ukrainian pilots,” said Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.).
The new bill includes $13.6 billion for assistance to Ukraine to keep the government running through September. This week alone, the U.S. total assistance to Ukraine has been $1 billion.
