KLEW News reporter Justin Spinnie spoke to Idaho Senator and ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee Jim Risch over Zoom.
On Wednesday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy spoke directly to Congress in an emotional plea for more United States support.
"I would think virtually everyone was incredibly impressed with the presentation that he made," Senator Risch said.
One of President Zelenskyy's requests involved supporting a no-fly zone over Ukrainian skies.
"I agree with him 100%. He really needs to have control of the skies," Senator Risch said.
When asked about the role the United State plays in defending Ukrainian skies, Senator Risch said President Zelenskyy should declare a no-fly zone and the United States should supply support to that.
"That would include obviously aircraft, but more importantly surface to air missiles are incredibly valuable in closing the skies," he said.
Senator Risch joined 31 GOP Senators in voting no on a $1.5 trillion government funding bill that included $13.6 billion in support to Ukraine. With a 68-31 vote, the Senate approved the bill, but when asked about his vote opposed to the bill, Senator Risch argues spending is way over the top in other areas included in the package.
"There is no right vote because you're either voting against stuff you really want, or you're voting for stuff you really don't want," he said.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer praised the package, calling it a bipartisan funding package as it received the support of some top republicans including Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell.
"The people of Ukraine need our immediate help, and this Omnibus is the quickest and most direct way of getting them the help fast," Senator Schumer said.
The Ukrainian funding in the package includes $6.5 billion for the Department of Defense, $3.5 billion to backfill equipment sent to Ukraine, and $4 billion to the State Department to assist with humanitarian aid.
"No one should take that as a feeling on my part that we shouldn't be helping Ukraine," Senator Risch said regarding his vote against the bill.
When it comes to immediate next steps in assisting Ukraine, Senator Risch said the need is to continue a supply line.
He said if he could send a message to President Zelenskyy, he would tell him to hang in there.
"Your country views you like America views George Washington," he said.
The video above contains the unabridged interview with Senator Risch.