Fresh off an official visit to war-torn Ukraine, Sen. Richard Blumenthal said Sunday that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy gave him a clear list of defense priorities following one of the deadliest single attacks of the year.
Speaking on CBS’s “Face the Nation,” the Connecticut Democrat detailed the immediate requests made by the Ukrainian leader after Russian drone strikes west of Kyiv left at least 38 people dead on Saturday.
Blumenthal said his trip took him from a military hospital in Dnipro near the eastern front line to Bucha, where Russian troops killed hundreds of civilians early in the conflict.
“President Zelenskyy had some priorities. I called it a homework assignment that he gave me,” Blumenthal said. “Number one, the Russian sanctions bill. Number two, air defense to protect against exactly the kind of bombing that you just mentioned. And third, Starlink so that he can hit targets within Russia before they launch those deadly missiles and drones.”
Blumenthal argued that diplomatic warnings will not deter Russian President Vladimir Putin without substantial military backing. He cited CIA Director John Ratcliffe’s recent mission to Moscow, where Ratcliffe told officials not to attack NATO member states.
“Without going into any classified information, I think the Ratcliffe mission could well be empty and ephemeral unless it is backed with a real show of strength,” Blumenthal said. “Putin is a mob thug. He understands only force and strength.”
Blumenthal said European partners are asking for PAC-3 interceptors and additional long-range HIMARS artillery to target launch sites. He expressed strong skepticism regarding potential U.S. troop reductions in Europe recently suggested by Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Elbridge Colby, stating he doubts Congress would approve a drawdown while tensions remain elevated.
On the legislative front, Blumenthal defended a bipartisan sanctions bill targeting buyers of Russian oil, which passed the Senate 86-11 but faces pushback from some House Democrats, including Rep. Gregory Meeks. Skeptics have raised concerns that the legislation gives excessive tariff powers to President Donald Trump.
Blumenthal said the measure narrowly restricts tariff powers to the top five purchasers of Russian oil and gas and exempts European allies. He pointed to Russia’s current financial troubles, citing a projected $125 billion deficit, a 14% interest rate on its national debt, and mounting economic strain. Blumenthal added that he invited Zelenskyy to speak directly with House lawmakers to help secure the bill’s passage.
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