Two GOP senators share photos from Zoom call with Zelensky despite requests not to

Republican Sens. Marco RubioMarco Antonio Rubio2024 Republicans eager to be seen as tough on Russia Fire breaks out at major nuclear plant in Ukraine amid fighting Scott reiterates his plan could change after McConnell rebuke MORE (Fla.) and Steve DainesSteven (Steve) David DainesSenate conservatives threaten to hold up government funding over vaccine mandate Ukraine crisis an opportunity to shift from fossil fuels, lawmaker says Former Celtics player Kanter Freedom attends Senate GOP lunch MORE (Mont.) shared photos from U.S. lawmakers’ virtual meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky after they were reportedly asked not to do so due to security concerns. 

Both senators shared photos of Zelensky speaking to Congress on Twitter with captions indicating that they were on the call. 

Multiple aides told NBC News lawmakers present were directed by Ukrainian officials not to share pictures of the president. 

Democratic Reps. Dean PhillipsDean PhillipsMinnesota court makes changes to House Democrat’s district Lawmakers coming under increased threats — sometimes from one another Jan. 6 brings Democrats, Cheneys together — with GOP mostly absent MORE (Minn.) and Jason CrowJason CrowLive coverage: US officials say Russia frustrated with Ukraine’s resistance Overnight Defense & National Security — US, Germany unite in face of Russian threat CO lawmakers ask DOJ to investigate police’s knowledge about alleged shooter MORE (Colo.) slammed the senators later on Saturday. 

“The Ukrainian Ambassador very intentionally asked each of us on the zoom to NOT share anything on social media during the meeting to protect the security of President Zelenskyy. Appalling and reckless ignorance by two US Senators,” Phillips tweeted.

“The lack of discipline in Congress is truly astounding. If an embattled wartime leader asks you to keep quiet about a meeting, you better keep quiet about the meeting,” Crow said. 

Rubio’s office denounced the criticism of the senator’s tweet, saying there were no security issues with the post. 

“There were over 160 members of Congress on a widely reported Zoom call. There was no identifying information of any kind. Anybody pretending this tweet is a security concern is a partisan seeking clicks,” a spokesperson for Rubio said. 

Daines’s office said the senator shared the photo on Twitter before the request to not post images was made and similarly accused those pushing back against the post of seeking attention. 

“This was a well reported call with over 250 people joining, and it was not a secure or classified briefing. The photo was shared before it was requested not to and well into the call, and it had no identifying information. We should be focusing on what’s important here and that’s supporting Ukraine. The only reason why anyone wants to make this an issue is partisan clickbait,” Daines’s spokesperson said. 

During the meeting, Zelensky said that his country was in need of assistance to protect its airspace and asked the U.S. to establish a no-fly zone. He also requested more planes and for the U.S. to stop buying Russian oil.

“President Zelenskyy made a desperate plea for Eastern European countries to provide Russian-made planes to Ukraine. These planes are very much needed. And I will do all I can to help the administration to facilitate their transfer,” Senate Majority Leader Charles SchumerChuck SchumerWe can’t pass up the opportunity to lower drug prices Senate passes cybersecurity bill amid fears of Russian cyberattacks Schumer wants to confirm Biden’s Supreme Court pick by April break MORE (D-N.Y.) said in a statement following the call. 

— Updated at 4:25 p.m.