Yahoo TV

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky welcomed United States senators Joe Manchin of West Virginia, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, and Mark Kelly of Arizona for talks in the capital of Kyiv on Wednesday, April 12.

In a press statement, the president’s office said Zelensky thanked the senators for traveling to Ukraine and described the visit as an “important signal of support” for Ukraine.

“Bicameral and bipartisan support from the United States, President Biden personally, and all Americans helped us survive the war unleashed by Russia,” said Zelensky, according to the statement.

Zelensky spoke to the delegation about conditions on the frontline and called for immediate and “powerful defense support” to secure victory over Russia’s invading forces.

Following the meeting, Manchin, who is a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, said Ukrainians were showing “unimaginable courage in the face of Vladimir Putin’s unjust war” and that he was “honored” to meet Zelenskyy and members of his cabinet.

“The level of patriotism, professionalism, and sheer endurance of the Ukrainian people is inspiring. After this visit, I am even more convinced that defeating Vladimir Putin and ending his ruthless war against the Ukrainian people must remain our top priority,” said Manchin in a joint press release with Murkowski and Kelly.

Sen. Murkowski, a senior member of the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, said she was “more committed than ever to ensuring that Congress provides the assistance that Ukraine needs.”

Sen. Kelly, a US Navy combat veteran and former NASA astronaut, lauded the “incredible resolve of the Ukrainian people and their leaders,” and emphasized the importance of military assistance provided to Ukraine by the US and other allies. “For the sake of democracy, freedom, and our vital national security interests, Putin must lose this war,” Kelly said. “I’ll continue working with my colleagues and our military leaders to get Ukraine the weapons and support they need to win.”

Accompanying the senators was American country singer Brad Paisley, who acts as an ambassador United24, a fundraising platform launched by the Ukrainian government in May, 2022, to raise money for war efforts. Credit: President of Ukraine via Storyful