Russia invades Ukraine and Zelensky addresses Congress

US Home Speaker Nancy Pelosi mentioned Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s remarks to lawmakers was “fairly outstanding” and that they are “grateful” he was grateful for support. 

She acknowledged his repeated requires the West to implement a no-fly zone over Ukraine however did not elaborate. 

She mentioned the Home of Representatives is engaged on laws within the subsequent couple of days, however she didn’t elaborate and did not reply any extra questions.  

Senate Minority Chief Mitch McConnell referred to as Zelensky’s handle to Congress an “extremely efficient speech” and mentioned “the message to President Biden is that he must step up his sport.” This largely mirrored response from GOP senators after the speech and differed from Democrats who defended Biden’s dealing with as efficient and ahead leaning.  

GOP Rep. Mike McCaul, a rating member of the Home Overseas Affairs Committee, acquired very emotional concerning the video that was performed throughout Zelensky’s handle, saying, “We have to assist Ukraine, give them the whole lot they should combat this conflict, and the video we noticed was very harking back to Nazi Germany. … And historical past will choose us. What did you do? What did you do when the bombing began? When the maternity hospitals had been bombed and the pregnant girls had been taken out — blood, kids, what did you do?”

Sen. Roy Blunt, a member of GOP management, informed CNN he’s involved about establishing a no-fly zone. 

“I imply, any time you place American pilots and American planes within the sky, with Russian pilots and planes within the sky, you are actually taking an opportunity that we might interact at a degree that I don’t assume we’re ready to,” Blunt mentioned.

Democratic Sen. Mark Kelly additionally raised considerations about imposing a no-fly zone — and he was skeptical of the concept of transferring aircrafts to Ukraine, suggesting it might not be an efficient use of assets. He’s open to extra sanctions and offering extra protection techniques corresponding to floor to air missiles. Kelly, who’s up for reelection, additionally mentioned that Russian President Vladimir Putin is a “conflict prison” and mentioned that US President Joe Biden ought to “completely” name him that. “Name it what’s,” he mentioned.

Democratic Sen. Mark Warner, chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, mentioned “far more efficient instruments” are anti-tanks, anti-aircraft missiles and Stinger missiles.

GOP Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, co-chair of the Congressional Ukraine Caucus who stationed in Kyiv throughout his time as an FBI agent, helps a restricted no-fly zone. He mentioned there are different methods to implement it moreover capturing down planes, corresponding to by means of know-how like electro-magnetic pulse and sonar radar.

“We’ve acquired to assist a humanitarian no-fly zone,” mentioned Fitzpatrick. “In any other case, the one different end result is slaughtering harmless individuals.”

GOP Sen. Rick Scott, a member of management, went additional on a no-fly zone than most in his social gathering, saying in a press release: “President Biden must decide TODAY: both give Ukraine entry to the planes and anti-aircraft protection techniques it must defend itself, or implement a no-fly zone to shut Ukrainian skies to Russian assaults.”