Ukrainian President Addresses Congress, Oklahoma Delegation Responds

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy today pleaded with Congress and President Biden on Wednesday to do more to help his besieged nation fend off Russia’s brutal and deadly invasion, calling up memories of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor and the 9/11 terror attacks.

“Our country experiences the same every day,” Zelenskyy said during a virtual address to House and Senate members Wednesday morning.

Making his third address to allied legislative leaders in three days, President Zelenskyy showed the packed auditorium of U.S. lawmakers a graphic video of the destruction and devastation his country has suffered in the war, and pleaded for help.

“We need you right now,” Zelenskyy said through a translator. “I call on you to do more...I have a need, a need to protect our skies. I need your decision, I need your help."

“I completely get his request, I understand it and agree with it completely,” said Sen. James Lankford (R-OK), who like many in the delegation have suggested the Biden administration has not acted quickly or forcefully enough to effectively deter Russia. “If we have it within our power to be able to hand something over to someone else so they can defend themselves, why wouldn’t we turn that over?”

Sen. Lankford is referring, at least in part, to the ongoing debate over Ukraine’s request that the Pentagon facilitate the delivery of MiG-29 fighter jets that Poland has offered up. The administration has resisted the request so far, arguing that the move would be viewed by Russian President Vladimir Putin as escalatory on NATO’s part and could thus trigger a broader conflict.

Even among Republicans, there is some hesitation to fully endorse getting involved in the plane transfer.

“Allowing [Ukraine] to access military aircraft may be something we can consider,” said Rep. Stephanie Bice (R-OK5) in an interview after the speech, “I also think we need to ramp up the lethal aid that we are providing.”

No one disagrees with that and, in fact, today President Biden signed off on an additional $800 million in lethal and humanitarian aid. Included in the military hardware to be sent to Ukraine are more stinger anti-aircraft systems, javelin anti-tank missiles, tactical drones, small arms, and more.

The administration is also pursuing additional sanctions, which President Zelenskyy also asked for.

"He actually said if there are companies in your districts, specific to members," Rep. Bice noted, "that are doing business in Russia, please encourage them to stop."

Bice said she and her staff have not done that to this point, but will now.