Blumenthal and Tillis Hear Directly from President Zelenskyy
Sen. Richard Blumenthal and Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC) hosted a bipartisan video call Oct. 19 with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to receive an update on Russia’s war in Ukraine. The call also was bicameral or including both chambers of Congress.
“During today’s call, President Zelenskyy repeated what we have heard from him for years: Ukraine wants peace,” Blumenthal and Tillis said in a statement after the call. “Funding Russia’s war machine, disabling Ukraine’s satellite communications, and crippling its air defense are all impediments to peace. We organized today’s call to hear directly from President Zelenskyy about what his military is currently facing on the battlefield.”
The senators said attempts to “appease” Russian President Vladimir Putin would prolong the conflict.
“President Zelenskyy confirmed that critical Starlink services remain degraded, including on systems traveling at speeds above 100 miles per hour, impeding Ukraine’s ability to intercept Russian drones,” Blumenthal and Tillis said. “He also reported disruptions to U.S. intelligence sharing concerning early warning of Russian ballistic missile launches.
“As a result of these disruptions, civilians — children — are dying,” the senators said. “He also raised serious concerns about delays in critical air defense interceptors and the (Trump) administration’s decision to waive powerful sanctions against Russia.
“President Zelenskyy reiterated his willingness to halt strikes on Russian energy facilities as President Trump has proposed, but only if Putin agrees to the same,” Blumenthal and Tillis said. “Less than a month ago, Congress voted in overwhelming numbers to support crushing sanctions on the enablers of Russia’s war.
“Democrats and Republicans in Congress understand what will happen if Putin faces no consequences for his murderous invasion,” the senators said. “As we conveyed to President Zelenskyy today, we remain committed to Ukraine and our European allies as they seek to end the slaughter in Russia’s war of aggression.”
