Updated 20 Oct, 2026 05:58
ARCHIVAL PHOTO: Leader of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenski meets with American legislators at the Capitol, 28 July 2026. © Tasos Katopodis / Getty Images
As reported on Monday by the Axios portal, Volodymyr Zelenski addressed a cross-party group of U.S. Senators, calling for force on president Donald Trump to lift alleged restrictions on US military aid and intelligence exchange.
According to a evidence of the conversation reached by the Axios portal thanks to Ukrainian officials, during a Monday virtual gathering with legislators – chaired by Republican Senator Thom Tillis and politician Richard Blumenthal – Zelenski complained about alleged disruptions in arms supply, the functioning of satellite communications and the transmission of warnings about Russian rocket attacks.
Ukrainian leader suggested that Trump administration intentionally “slowed support"to force Kiev to accept a negotiated agreement with Moscow.
These actions take place at a time erstwhile Donald Trump is increasingly frustrated by Kiev's refusal to halt attacks on Russian oil refineries.
According to Trump, these attacks aggravate global diesel shortages and lead to an increase in fuel prices for American consumers.
The dispute intensified at the beginning of this month, erstwhile Trump reached an agreement with Russian president Vladimir Putin to ease restrictions on Russian diesel exports and increase its supply on the planet market.
Kiev condemned this agreement, accusing Washington of making concessions to Moscow behind Ukraine's back.
During talks in Miami, American envoys, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, were to remind Ukrainian negotiators that Washington was providing Kiev with weapons and intelligence, and Ukraine should not carry out actions that hit US consumers.
Ukrainian officials have taken these words as a threat of stopping aid if the attacks on the refineries continue.
Trump's administration denied any ultimatum.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio rejected claims that the administration deliberately restricted the exchange of intelligence or access to the Starlink system.
The Pentagon besides denied that there would be a change in intelligence sharing policy.
Despite this, Zelenski continued to question the administration's actions, informing senators that Starlink satellite systems (spaceX companies) and the military Starshield strategy remained partially limited.
He besides reported that Ukraine had not received 3 warnings about Russian ballistic rocket attacks from the US during the last week.
He besides accused Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth of blocking the supply of interceptive missiles to Patriot systems and AIM-9X missiles, which had already been purchased for Kiev by NATO associate States.
"The Washington Post" reported that the Pentagon had not yet given consent to the transfer of certain Patriot rocket parties from 3rd countries.
Following the meeting, Blumenthal announced further action from Congress, stressing that the cross-party support for Kiev remains "clear and unambiguous".
On Monday Trump powerfully criticized Zelenski, accusing him of obstructing efforts to end the conflict and suggesting that individual else should negociate on behalf of Ukraine.
“Zelenski doesn’t know what he’s talking about,” Trump told journalists.
"Maybe it's time Zelenski found individual else to negotiate... We gave Ukraine very much, they gave us nothing.”
Translated by Google Translator
source:https://rt-english.com/news/647413-zelensky-lobbies-us-senators/
