Zelensky says he called for recognition of Russia as a ‘terrorist state’ in meeting with US Senate GOP delegation
By Tim Lister, Veronica Stracqualursi and Hira Humayun, CNN
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met with a congressional delegation led by Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell in Kyiv Saturday, and called for Russia to officially be recognized as a “terrorist state,” he said Saturday in his nightly address.
Zelensky said he discussed US support for Ukraine and tightening sanctions on Russia with the delegation.
“I believe that this visit once again demonstrates the strength of bipartisan support for our state, the strength of ties between the Ukrainian and American nations,” Zelensky said.
CNN previously reported Zelensky has asked President Joe Biden to designate Russia a state sponsor of terrorism.
The Ukrainian president added in his address Saturday he “expressed gratitude for the historic decision to renew the Lend Lease program” during the GOP delegation’s visit.
Biden earlier this week signed into law the Ukraine Democracy Defense Lend-Lease Act. The new law, which eases some of the requirements for the US to lend or lease military equipment to Ukraine, passed with a bipartisan majority in the US House and Senate. Its sponsors said the legislation gives Biden much broader authority to help Ukraine defend itself against Russia and addresses how the US can get weapons to Ukraine faster.
Zelensky said earlier Saturday on his Instagram account the GOP delegation visit was “a strong signal of bipartisan support for Ukraine from the United States Congress and the American people.”
He added on Instagram: “Thank you for your leadership in helping us in our struggle not only for our country, but also for democratic values and freedoms. We really appreciate it.”
Republican Sens. Susan Collins of Maine, John Barrasso of Wyoming and John Cornyn of Texas were also seen meeting Zelensky in video and photos posted to the Ukrainian president’s social media accounts.
It was unclear Saturday evening whether the delegation was still in the Ukrainian capital.
McConnell and the other senators became the latest US officials to visit Ukraine since Russia invaded the eastern European nation in late February. Two weeks ago, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi led the first congressional delegation to Ukraine since war broke out. Pelosi, joined by several senior House Democrats, met with Zelensky in Kyiv.
First lady Jill Biden met last weekend with Ukrainian first lady Olena Zelenska in Uzhhorod at the Slovakian border at a converted school which now serves as temporary housing for displaced citizens. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin met with Zelensky in Kyiv last month.
Congress has been in the process of trying to pass a roughly $40 billion aid bill which would provide Ukraine with military and humanitarian assistance. In a rare show of unity, McConnell and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer pushed for swift passage of the bill this week, after the House had advanced the measure in a bipartisan vote. The Senate effort, however, was blocked Thursday by GOP Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky who has demanded changes to the legislation. The Senate is now expected to pass the bill sometime next week, with Schumer forced to take procedural steps to overcome Paul’s objection, before sending it to President Joe Biden’s desk.
A statement posted on Zelensky’s official website following the meeting with the GOP senators noted the Ukrainian leader “expressed hope that the US Senate will promptly approve a package of additional funding to support the Ukrainian people.”
This story has been updated with additional details.
The-CNN-Wire
™ & © 2022 Cable News Network, Inc., a WarnerMedia Company. All rights reserved.
