Russia-Ukraine Crisis: Ukrainian Pres. Volodymyr Zelensky Says if Pres. Joe Biden Acted Sooner 'There Would Be No War'
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky said if the administration of President Joe Biden had only slapped sanctions on Russia's President Vladimir Putin sooner, "there would not have been war."
During a Zoom call with 280 U.S. senators and House members on Saturday morning, Zelensky said, "if you had started sanctions months ago, there would not have been war."
A Senate source revealed this to the New York Post. But Zelensky still thanked the United States for its assistance and pleaded for additional American military aid for his country.
The Ukrainian president also asked the U.S. to help establish a no-fly zone over Ukraine. He also begged the lawmakers for help getting Eastern European countries to send Russian-made fighter planes to Ukraine so that Zelensky's air force pilots could fly them in combat.
Zelensky noted that Ukraine needs jets because its air force was destroyed on day one of Russia's invasion. Rep. Nicole Malliotakis confirmed that Zelensky told them they needed a no-fly zone or planes. Malliotakis then noted that if NATO is not going to provide a no-fly zone, it should provide planes.
"That is something where NATO can help," Malliotakis said.
After the call concluded, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer promised that he would do all he could to help the administration to facilitate their transfer. He then added that the "people of New York and its large Ukrainian community stand" with Zelensky.
"Mr. President, we are inspired by you and the strength and courage of the Ukrainian people," Schumer said as he praised Zelensky.
Zelensky has expressed support for a potential US boycott of Russian oil. Senator Josh Hawley told Fox News that the Ukrainian president repeatedly said "an embargo on Russia, and particularly their oil and natural gas, was absolutely critical."
NBC News reported that Zelensky attended the Zoom call with the lawmakers ahead of Congressional debate over a $10 billion emergency funding package request that will provide humanitarian aid and security assistance.
Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelensky on Joe Biden Imposing Sanctions Amid Russia's Invasion
Despite growing criticism from Kyiv and domestic rivals, the Biden administration has refused to impose sanctions on Russia ahead of its widely anticipated invasion of Ukraine, Reuters reported.
Last month, U.S. officials argued that releasing a series of sanctions on Vladimir Putin's government before he invades would just "guarantee such a crisis happens immediately."
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said at the time that the purpose of the sanctions in the first instance was to try to hinder Russia from going to war. Blinken added that "as soon as you trigger them, that deterrence is gone."
Zelensky earlier said that if the U.S. and its allies are sure that Putin would invade Ukraine, they should apply sanctions now.
During the Munich Security Conference last month, Zelensky said: "You tell me 100% that there will be war in a few days' time. What are you waiting for?"
Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelensky Thanked Biden Administration for Imposed Sanctions on Russia's Leaders
During the Zoom call with U.S. lawmakers, Volodymyr Zelensky still thanked the U.S. for its imposed sanctions, saying it has affected Russian business leaders, CBS News reported.
The Ukrainian president asked lawmakers for more lethal aid, asking the U.S. to cut off Visa and Mastercard from Russia.
On Sunday, Antony Blinken issued a commitment to increase pressure on Russia through sanctions and give more aid to Ukraine. However, he warned that Russia still held a military advantage that western allies found hard to counter.
The defense secretary added that the war may still go on for a while, The Guardian reported. Blinken has spent the weekend visiting NATO member nations in eastern Europe that have taken in refugees from Ukraine.
He has met with refugees fleeing the Russian invasion of Ukraine, which currently stands at 1.5 million refugees.
Pressed on U.S. sanctions on Russia, Blinken defended Washington's failure to cut off Russian imports of oil by the U.S.
He said they were adding to sanctions "virtually every day" and had already spoken to Joe Biden on Saturday and cabinet members about the "oil" issue.
The White House on Saturday night issued a report of Biden's call with Zelensky. The White House said the Biden administration is "surging security, humanitarian, and economic assistance to Ukraine and is working closely with Congress to secure additional funding."
This article is owned by Latin Post.
Written by: Mary Webber
WATCH: Zelensky Pleads With US Lawmakers for Help - From ABC News