March 16, 2022

Jacobs Statement on President Zelenskyy’s Address to Congress

Washington, D.C. - Today, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy addressed the United States Congress via video from Kyiv. 


Congresswoman Sara Jacobs releases the following statement: 


“President Zelensky’s speech this morning to Congress, in the middle of an unjustified attack on his country, was heart-wrenching and inspiring.


“In the midst of this human suffering, he called on us to do more. That’s why I support increasing humanitarian support, accepting more refugees, working with our allies to get Ukraine the weapons it needs, and imposing additional sanctions on Russia’s elite to apply pressure to end hostilities.


“He also called on us to be leaders of the world and the leaders of peace. That means not getting the world – and the billions of civilians who would be impacted – into a nuclear war.


“So I continue to be against a U.S.- or NATO-enforced no-fly zone. A no-fly zone would require U.S. or NATO fighter jets to go directly against Russian jets. This would mean the United States or a NATO ally potentially shooting down Russian jets – with the possibility of triggering World War III.


“A no-fly zone would also only work against weapons dropped from planes, not prevent attacks from missiles, artillery, and rockets, which have been the majority of attacks from Russia over the past several weeks.


“But let’s be clear: a no-fly zone is not the only way to “close the skies.” The United States is working tirelessly to get Ukraine the defensive weapons – including S-300 anti-air systems – it needs to protect its civilians from attacks.


“I commend President Biden’s steady leadership through this devastating war.”


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