Zelensky asks senators for air defenses, tells them Ukraine is winning war

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met with senators in the Capitol on Tuesday to press his case for additional U.S. support for Ukraine, specifically anti-ballistic missiles, and to emphasize his country's gains in the war against Russia. The meeting occurred shortly before senators voted to advance legislation further sanctioning Russia and imposing steep tariffs on countries that purchase Russian energy. "This bill is very important, sanctions pressure on Russia is very important," Zelensky told reporters in the Capitol following the meeting. "It's not only about money, how to stop Russia financing this war, but it's also a big signal to Europe, big signal to Ukraine, big support of our people," Zelensky said. The meeting lasted for over an hour and the Ukrainian president was joined by Finland's President Alexander Stubb. Sen. John Hoeven (R-N.D.), leaving the meeting, said Zelensky had asked specifically for more anti-ballistic missiles in the short-term, while awaiting more tech from NATO countries expected "next year." Zelensky also stressed Ukraine's success with drone warfare against the Russians. "Overall, they're doing very well," Hoeven said. "They're inflicting much more casualties on the Russians than the Russians are on the Ukrainians. The ratio is like eight to one, which is remarkable." The tone of the meeting was "upbeat," Hoeven said, moreso than Zelensky's previous visits to the Capitol, because Ukraine "has changed the tenor of the war" with its technological advances. Zelensky used his meeting Tuesday with Trump to follow up on the Patriot licenses, critical for Ukrainian defense against Russian ballistic missiles -- but any production is likely going to take years to develop. Zelensky also met with executives from Lockheed Martin, which produce the Patriot missiles. "Our teams are already working on specific solutions to move to co-production as quickly as possible and increase our capabilities to protect lives," Zelensky wrote on social media.