Zelenskyy briefs bipartisan group of lawmakers amid backlash over Trump’s Russia deal

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with a bipartisan group of lawmakers on Monday and raised concerns about President Donald Trump's decision to waive key sanctions on Russia, as members of Congress push back against the president's moves to ease economic pressure on Moscow.

During the video call, Zelenskyy reported concerns over disruptions to U.S. intelligence sharing and the administration's decision to waive Russia sanctions. He also told lawmakers that critical Starlink services remained degraded, hindering Ukraine's ability to intercept drones from Moscow, according to a readout from Sens. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) and Thom Tillis (R-N.C.).

Blumenthal and Tillis led the meeting, which included members of both the House and the Senate.

"Funding Russia's war machine, disabling Ukraine's satellite communications, and crippling its air defense are all impediments to peace," the senators wrote in a joint statement. "Trying to appease a murderous thug like Vladimir Putin will only prolong this war and bring greater casualties."

According to the readout, Zelenskyy also raised concerns about delays in the delivery of critical air-defense interceptors. "As a result of these disruptions, civilians — children — are dying," Blumenthal and Tillis said.

In his own social media post , Zelenskyy reiterated what he told lawmakers and said he has received "no explanation" from America on intelligence sharing and Starlink degradation.

"Without America, things would be much harder for us," Zelenskyy told lawmakers in the video.

The call comes days after Trump signed an executive order on Friday waiving key sanctions on Russia that were outlined in the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia Act — which he signed last month — that was intended to pressure Moscow to end the war.

Trump also temporarily lifted sanctions on Russian diesel earlier this month, in the president's latest effort to bring down prices ahead of the midterms. That decision drew bipartisan criticism, including from Blumenthal and Tillis, who joined other senators in calling for Trump to "immediately reverse course."

Zelenskyy also told lawmakers that he was willing to halt strikes on Russian energy facilities, as Trump has proposed , if Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed to do the same, the senators said.

Speaking to reporters at the White House Monday, Trump defended his sanctions relief and accused Zelenskyy of standing in the way of ending the war.

"I'm supporting stopping war between Russia and Ukraine," Trump said when asked about criticism that he was supporting Putin. "And frankly, Zelenskyy is not helping matter much. I think he doesn't want to stop it."

Trump also said he would be willing to meet with Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping without Zelenskyy to discuss ending the war, and suggested someone else should negotiate for Ukraine.

"Zelenskyy doesn't know what he's talking about," Trump said when asked about the Ukrainian leader's criticism that he was on the wrong side of history. "Maybe it's time for Zelenskyy to get somebody else to negotiate."

When ask for comment, the White House pointed back to the president's remarks.

Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), who also participated in the meeting, said he assured Zelenskyy of Congress' continued support and stressed that Ukraine must be included in negotiations over its future.

"While Trump's oil handouts to Vladimir Putin undermine the war effort, I made clear on our call that Congress is determined to support the brave Ukrainian people in their fight for freedom," Durbin said. "Any negotiations about the future of Ukraine after years defending against Russian assault must include Ukraine."

Jordain Carney contributed to this report.