Zelenskyy Opens New York Visit with Talks with US Senators
Zelenskyy met US senators in New York, thanking them for bipartisan support and a sanctions bill, and raised Ukraine's need for ballistic missile interceptors.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived in New York and opened his visit with a meeting with United States senators, where he expressed gratitude for what he described as strong bipartisan backing for Ukraine.
According to his remarks on X, Zelenskyy thanked the senators for passing a sanctions bill led by Senator Lindsey Graham. He described the legislation as a step in the right direction and said that peace and guaranteed security would come closer once the bill is fully implemented.
The two sides agreed that their teams would coordinate closely on sanctions, Zelenskyy said. He also briefed the senators on de-escalation proposals that Ukraine intends to discuss with the US president.
During the meeting, Zelenskyy highlighted Ukraine's need for ballistic missile interceptors and the difficulties the country faces as winter approaches. He said American-made Patriot systems cannot currently be replaced, adding that greater anti-ballistic protection would reduce Russia's willingness to continue strikes and prolong the war.
The Ukrainian delegation included Rustem Umerov, head of the Foreign Intelligence Service of Ukraine. Footage of the visit showed Zelenskyy and First Lady Olena Zelenska arriving at night, being greeted by officials, and later sitting down with the senators, including Richard Blumenthal.