'Just have to provide the support': Mark Kelly, 2 other senators meet with Zelenskyy in Ukraine

Sen. Mark Kelly and a pair of his Senate colleagues met in Kyiv with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy Wednesday as questions swirl about that nation’s war with Russia, its stewardship of U.S. aid, and the country’s long-term future.

The secret visit in the Ukrainian capital happened on the heels of leaked intelligence reports that said, among other points, that U.S. authorities believe Ukraine will struggle to gain ground in a counteroffensive. And congressional Republicans are increasingly wary of financing an open-ended war against Russia.

Kelly, D-Ariz., and a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, joined Sens. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., and Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, on the trip.

Country music star Brad Paisley, a West Virginian heading a charity to help rebuild Ukraine, also traveled with the contingent.

The meeting with the U.S. senators was part of a broad international push by Zelenskyy to continue receiving international support for his country in the year after Russia invaded.

Kristen Engel: Democrat seeks rematch with Rep. Juan Ciscomani for Arizona's 6th District

Also on Wednesday, Zelenskyy, in a remote appearance, appealed to Western nations meeting in Washington with the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund, as well as leaders of the seven largest industrialized economies in the world, to boost their aid and seize Russian assets, the New York Times reported.

Separately, Zelenskyy pressed for international action after a video emerged purporting to show a Russian soldier beheading a Ukrainian prisoner.

Kelly and his colleagues received a briefing from Zelenskyy and his top officials for more than an hour, discussing Ukraine’s ability to continue its fight against Russian troops, energy security and ensuring that aid to Ukraine is used as intended.

Afterward, Kelly described the meeting as “incredibly valuable” in understanding the evolving needs and conditions of the ongoing war.

He said they discussed “what kind of weapons and weapons systems they need going forward to be successful. Any combat operation, regardless of what it is, is a very dynamic environment.

“Things change over time, so this is incredibly valuable for me … to have a good understanding of what Ukraine needs as they continue this operation,” Kelly said. “We want to be as supportive as possible. … There are war crimes committed nearly on a daily basis here. It is unacceptable and we just have to provide the support that Ukraine needs to win this thing.”

Manchin is also a member of the Armed Services Committee and chairs the Energy and Natural Resources Committee. In a statement, he praised the Ukrainian people and reiterated the need to defeat Russian President Vladimir Putin.

“The Ukrainian people continue to show unimaginable courage in the face of Vladimir Putin’s unjust war,” Manchin said. “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.”

Murkowski is a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee and is part of its defense-related subcommittee. She also decried Russia’s invasion.

“For more than a year, the people of Ukraine have stood against the unspeakable atrocities unleashed against them by Vladimir Putin. Ukraine is an inspiration to the world, and it was an honor to meet with President Zelenskyy to reiterate our unwavering bipartisan support for their sovereignty and fledgling democracy,” she said.

“Despite the incredible hardships the Ukrainian people are enduring, they continue to show there are few things more powerful than a democracy fueled by unity and hope. As I return home, I’m more thankful than ever for the blessings of our American democracy, and more committed than ever to ensuring that Congress provides the assistance that Ukraine needs.”

Sheriff Mark Lamb enters Senate race: Pinal County Sheriff Mark Lamb seeks to unseat Sen. Kyrsten Sinema

Among the senators’ gifts to Zelenskyy, Kelly provided the Ukrainian president a shirt that Kelly had on board his first space shuttle flight.

The meeting with a foreign leader Wednesday was the second in as many weeks for Kelly. Last week he and other senators met with the leader of Taiwan in New York City amid increasing tensions between China, the U.S. and Taiwan.

Reach the reporter Ronald J. Hansen at ronald.hansen@arizonarepublic.com or 602-444-4493. Follow him on Twitter @ronaldjhansen.

Subscribe to our free political podcast, The Gaggle.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Sens. Kelly, Murkowski, Manchin meet with Zelenskyy in Ukraine