Zelenskyy discusses air defence needs with US lawmakers during their visit to Kyiv
US Senator Richard Blumenthal and member of the House of Representatives Jim Himes have visited Kyiv, where they have met with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Source: Office of the President of Ukraine
Details: Zelenskyy spoke during the meeting about a letter sent to the White House and the US Congress outlining Ukraine's need for anti-ballistic missiles amid intensified Russian attacks.
Quote from Zelenskyy: "We have an initiative on the battlefield that we have gained. We are now in a better position than we were over the past year. But even in such a situation, our people are not safe, above all civilians, because of the big deficit of anti-ballistic missiles. And even the PURL programme, which is working, does not fully help."
Details: The members of Congress stressed that they could see how Russia is trying to intimidate diplomatic representatives in an attempt to force them to leave Kyiv. However, they said all such attempts only increased the willingness to support Ukraine and maintain a diplomatic presence in the capital.
Quote from Blumenthal: "What Putin is doing is beyond cruelty. He's trying to terrorise and bully Ukraine into submission and convince the world that Russia is winning. I came back from my visit in February to tell people Russia is not winning. Russia is not going to win. Ukraine can prevail if we support Ukraine."
Details: Himes noted that support for Ukraine, including the sharing of intelligence, will continue.
The meeting also covered sanctions against Russia and the negotiation process.
Blumenthal also thanked Ukraine for its help in protecting against Iranian missiles and drones.
Quote from Blumenthal: "What you are teaching the world is so extraordinarily valuable, and we owe you. We owe you not only for the lessons in technology, but also for the lessons in courage, perseverance, bravery, resilience, ingenuity, and creativity."
Background: In a letter to US President Donald Trump and members of the US Congress, Zelenskyy mentioned Russia's use of Oreshnik intermediate-range ballistic missiles to attack Ukraine.
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