U.S. Sens. Rob Portman (R-OH), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Chris Murphy (D-CT), and Roger Wicker (R-MS) met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy Tuesday as part of their bipartisan Congressional Delegation to Ukraine.
The senators expressed their solidarity with Ukraine during the meeting, in light of increased Russian aggression, including military buildup at the Ukraine/Russia border, the ongoing conflict in Donbas, and the purported annexation of Crimea.
“This is a critical time in Ukraine’s history, and our delegation sent a message to Russia and the people of Ukraine that the United States stands with Ukraine in response to unwarranted and unprovoked Russian aggression,” Portman said. “As a bipartisan delegation representing different parts of the country across the political spectrum, we made it clear that the cause of freedom knows no political boundary in the U.S. Congress. We expressed our solidarity with the people of Ukraine in protecting their sovereignty and territorial integrity.”
The senators expressed concern over Russia’s buildup of forces in and around Ukraine and pledged continued support in the Senate for funding Ukraine’s defenses. The senators also discussed increasing funding for the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, from $250 million to $300 million per year, recently passed in Congress as part of Fiscal Year (FY) 2022 National Defense Authorization Act. At least $75 million of that funding is specifically designated for lethal assistance. The funds will be used to train, equip, and support Ukrainian forces and the government in their efforts to defend the country against Russian aggression.
“Our bipartisan delegation concluded a comprehensive series of meetings with President Zelenskyy and members of his administration, and throughout the day, made clear that the United States is united across party lines in support of Ukraine against Putin’s belligerence,” Shaheen said. “I’m proud to have partnered with Senator Portman to lead this group of lawmakers to reaffirm our nation’s resolve to stand with our democratic partners. I look forward to sharing feedback with our Senate colleagues so we can swiftly get to work on a path forward in Congress to respond to the political situation in Ukraine and Eastern Europe that safeguards Ukraine’s territorial integrity, Europe’s energy security, and broader regional stability. Efforts are underway to enhance our laws that will empower the Biden administration with tools to work with our allies to prepare penalties for Putin amid his provocations and increase aid to Ukraine.”