Zelensky makes “desperate request” for planes in a call with US lawmakers.

President ukrainian, Volodymyr Zelenskymade a “desperate request” for planes to fight Russian invaders during a video call Saturday with lawmakers Americanssaid Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer.

In the Democrat-controlled US Congress, there is strong bipartisan support for $10 billion in emergency military and humanitarian aid to Ukraine following the February 24 Russian invasion.

Zelensky has repeatedly called on the West to set up a no-fly zone over Ukraine, but the United States and its NATO allies rejected those calls for fear of a direct confrontation with Moscow.

Instead, the United States has promised Zelensky military aid and the Ukrainian leader “made a desperate request to European countries to provide Russian-made aircraft to Ukraine” during Saturday’s video call, Schumer said.

“These planes are badly needed. And I will do everything I can to help the administration facilitate his transfer,” Schumer said in a statement. More than 280 members of the Senate and House of Representatives participated in the call.

It was not immediately clear how Washington could assist in the transfer of the Russian-made planes. However, it could facilitate transactions or possibly become involved in paying or providing replacements for allies who give planes to Ukraine.

Several Republican congressmen, including Republican Senators Marco Rubio and Lindsey Graham, tweeted their support for Zelensky during and after the call.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, Republican, is working with Schumer and other lawmakers to get all the help President Joe Biden’s administration has requested for Ukraine, Schumer told Zelensky, according to a source familiar with the call.

“Together we will quickly get that help of more than $10 billion in economic, humanitarian and security assistance to the Ukrainian people,” Schumer said, according to the source.