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Ukrainian President Zelenskyy Addresses U.S. Congress

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy requested more military assistance and sanctions against Russia in a speech to Congress that drew bipartisan applause, according to The Wall Street Journal (subscription).

The ask: President Zelenskyy asked Congress for a no-fly zone over Ukraine and said Ukrainians also need jet fighters and antiaircraft weapons to defend themselves.

The current moment: “The U.S. has imposed a wave of sanctions on Russian financial institutions and oligarchs and banned Russian imports of oil, seafood and alcohol. The Biden administration said it has committed $2 billion in security assistance to Ukraine, including $1 billion in the past week alone.”

The response: President Biden called Zelenskyy’s speech “convincing and significant” and announced he was sending a new round of $800 million in antiaircraft weapons and other military equipment. President Biden has ruled out U.S. participation in a no-fly zone because it would put the U.S. in direct confrontation with Russia.

  • Following President Zelenskyy’s speech, a flurry of meetings and classified briefings were announced on Capitol Hill, as lawmakers looked for ways to respond through legislation.

What we’re doing: The NAM has denounced Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, supported sanctions against Russia and called for the country to be removed from the World Trade Organization. Read more here.

What we’re saying: “Manufacturers have a proud history of standing firm in support of democracy, and we stand with the Ukrainian people,” said NAM President and CEO Jay Timmons. “The free world must come together to denounce the unprovoked Russian aggression, save lives and end the humanitarian crisis unfolding before our eyes.”

The latest: Ukraine is mounting a counteroffensive to drive the Russian military from key cities, including Kyiv. Read the latest developments here.
 

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