US Senator tells incoming Congress not to give up on Ukraine, supply air defense

On November 10, outgoing Democratic Senator Richard Durbin urged the incoming U.S. Congress not to abandon Ukraine and to assist in replenishing its air defenses as Russia persists with its aggressive campaign. Durbin, who is set to retire in January 2027, expressed his disapproval of President Donald Trump's approach to Russia, criticizing Trump's meetings with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Trump's public criticism of Ukraine.

Durbin also dismissed Trump's efforts to negotiate with Putin over money as futile and detrimental to U.S. allies and Russia's aggressors. He emphasized that Russian President Vladimir Putin is an ex-KGB agent, driven by historical grievances rather than financial motives. Putin's strategy of providing targeting information to Iran to harm American assets and soldiers was cited by Durbin.

Meanwhile, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky admitted on November 3 that he would need to meet Putin in person to discuss ending the conflict, as a phone call would likely result in a lengthy lecture from Putin. Durbin criticized attempts to negotiate with Putin as unrealistic and futile, emphasizing that the only side aligned with America's values is that of the Ukrainian people.