Zelensky Makes Plea to Congress: 'Close The Sky Over Ukraine'

U.S. and NATO step up support of Ukraine, but stop short of establishing a no-fly zone.

Wednesday, March 16, 2022 at 01:00 PM ET

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky asked Americans to remember events like the September 11th attacks and the attack on Pearl Harbor when considering what his country is going through. [File photo: Shutterstock]

Key Takeaways:

Ukrainian President Zelensky made an emotional appeal to the U.S. Congress for a no-fly zone, military fighter aircraft, and mobile air defense systems to protect Ukraine from Russian aerial attacks.
Despite strong support for Ukraine, the U.S. and NATO have rejected establishing a no-fly zone and providing fighter jets.
The rejection stems from fears that enforcing a no-fly zone would involve direct military engagement with Russia, escalating the conflict into a broader European war and causing greater human suffering.

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In an impassioned live address to members of Congress Wednesday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky urged the U.S. to help “close the sky over Ukraine,” calling for a no-fly zone and additional military assets.

Zelensky’s emotional plea for help comes three weeks into Russia’s invasion of its western neighbor that has turned to widespread shelling of Ukrainian population centers. Russian troops have already fired nearly 1,000 missiles at Ukraine, he said, making the case for a humanitarian no-fly-zone, military fighter aircraft, and mobile air defense systems.