Ukraine’s President Zelensky had a Friday morning Zoom meeting with 280 US Senate and House members. He pleaded for additional military aid. A defiant Zelensky claimed that Biden's slow response in imposing economic sanctions on Russia caused Putin to go forward with the invasion.

NBC reported that Zelensky scheduled the call before a Congressional debate over a request for a $10 billion emergency funding package that would provide humanitarian aid and security assistance.

During the emotional video call, he said that not slapping sanctions on Russia’s Vladimir Putin sooner has been an ordeal. 

The embattled Ukrainian leader supports a US boycott of Russian oil. And he emphasized the point of West Virginia’s Sen. Joe Manchin.

“If you had started sanctions months ago, there would not have been war,” he said. 

Zelensky thanked the legislators for the assistance they have given. And pleaded for additional American military aid for his besieged country. 

“These are devils that are doing this,” Zelensky said of the invading Russian troops.

Glory to Ukraine

“He said repeatedly that an embargo on Russia, and particularly their oil and natural gas, was absolutely critical,” said Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Miss.). 

The Ukraine president told lawmakers he needed Eastern European countries to send Russian-made fighter planes to Ukraine.  Zelensky’s air force pilots are trained to fly them in combat. 

“He said we either need a no-fly zone or we need to be given planes, that was the basic message,” According to Rep. Nicole Malliotakis (R-NY). “If NATO is not going to provide a no-fly-zone, then provide planes. And that is something where NATO can help.” 

“I will do all I can to help the administration to facilitate their transfer,” Majority Leader Chuck Schumer promised in a statement after the call was over. 

Senator Schumer praised President Zelensky, “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,” he added. 

At the end of the call, dozens of lawmakers unmuted themselves to thank Zelensky for his courage. Some of them called out “Slava Ukraine” — Glory to Ukraine. 

NATO will not give no-fly-zone

The defiant Zelensky repeatedly begged the United States and its NATO allies to establish a no-fly zone over Ukraine. NATO leaders rejected his request. They fear getting directly involved in the conflict. And instead, they are pledging more economic sanctions.

 Russian President Vladimir Putin has said that a no-fly zone would be a declaration of war. So, President Biden and NATO are watching with the world as Putin bombs the citizens of Ukraine.

Zelensky rebuked NATO for holding a “weak” and “confused” summit where leaders refused to impose a no-fly zone. Zelensky has said that the no-fly zone is the only way to save the war-torn country.

In a video message, the Ukraine president claimed NATO’s failure to enforce the no-fly zone was a green light for more bombing by Moscow. And that future deaths from the invasion would lie partly on NATO leaders' shoulders.

“You had to think about people, about humanity itself, and what did you think about at that summit?” he said. “All the people who will die starting from this day will also die because of you. Because of your weakness. Because of your disunity.”

Still, he was gracious and thanked “our country’s friends in NATO … who help our state no matter what.”

Defiant Zelensky modern-day hero

After surviving at least three assassination attempts this week Zelensky, a comedian-turned-politician proved again that he is an inspiring man. And a modern-day-hero. Speaking from his war-torn country in the face of growing Russian aggression he said.

“The invaders, they could turn off our television to Ukrainians, our connection,” he said. “They thought they could take away products, shut off the electricity. They thought it would force Ukrainians to submit. But even if you deprive of us oxygen, we will breathe deeply to say, ‘Get off our land.’”