Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with a bipartisan delegation of U.S. senators in New York on Sept. 22 to discuss tougher sanctions against Russia, air defense assistance and efforts to reduce tensions in the war. The delegation included Sens. Jeanne Shaheen, Dave McCormick, Sheldon Whitehouse, Chris Coons, Mark Kelly, Richard Blumenthal and Peter Welch. Zelenskyy thanked the senators for their support of Ukraine and for backing the Lindsey Graham sanctions bill, saying its full implementation could contribute to peace and security. The Ukrainian president briefed the senators on de-escalation proposals he planned to discuss with U.S. President Donald Trump later that day. The talks also covered Ukraine’s need for additional ballistic missile interceptors and preparations for the coming winter. Zelenskyy said Patriot air defense systems remained essential to protecting Ukrainian lives and argued that expanding the country’s missile defenses could deter Russia from continuing its strikes and prolonging the war. Post navigation Ukraine Hosts First Carpathian Summit