Zelensky criticizes the U.S. for not acting sooner and avoiding war

During an hour-long virtual call with U.S. Senators on Saturday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky criticized the Biden administration for not having imposed measures against Russia sooner.

“If you had started sanctions months ago, there would not have been war,” he said, according to Congress correspondent to Fox News Chad Pergram.

From colleague Kelly Laco. Zelensky to senators on conference call: "If you had started sanctions months ago, there would not have been war."

— Chad Pergram (@ChadPergram) March 5, 2022

Zelensky also asked the U.S. to establish a no-fly zone over Ukraine, despite Russian President Vladimir Putin’s claim that such a measure could be interpreted as a declaration of war.

“We will immediately consider them as participants in a military conflict, and it doesn't matter members of which organizations they are,” Putin said in a meeting with flight crewmembers of Russian national airlines.

“It is impossible to do it, on the very territory of Ukraine, it's possible only from the territory of some neighboring states. But any movement in this direction will be considered by us as participation in an armed conflict,” Putin added.

“He [Zelensky] said we either need a no-fly zone or we need to be given planes, that was the basic message,” Representative Nicole Malliotakis (R-NY) told the New York Post. “If NATO is not going to provide a no-fly zone, then provide planes. And that is something."

After the call, Majority Leader Chuck Schumer issued a statement saying he would do everything he could “to help the administration to facilitate their transfer.”

“Mr. President, we are inspired by you and the strength and courage of the Ukrainian people,” he added. “The people of New York and its large Ukrainian community stand with you.” 

The U.S. Senate and the 80-member House Ukrainian Caucus were invited to talk with Zelensky at 9:30 a.m. EST. The meeting was the first time the full Senate was able to talk with Zelensky since the invasion of Ukraine, reported The Hill.

Sen. Marco Rubio shared an image of Zelenksy on zoom conversation on Twitter as the call took place.

“Russia’s Air Force is having their worst day yet in Ukraine,” Rubio tweeted. “Multiple shoot downs and dead and captured pilots.”

On zoom call now with President Zelensky of #Ukraine pic.twitter.com/xhgbpIwVD9

— Marco Rubio (@marcorubio) March 5, 2022