Ukraine Caucus Leaders Push for Defensive Aid
Bipartisan group urges expanded U.S. support for Ukraine following announcement of non-defensive aid
WASHINGTON, D.C.– Congressional Ukrainian Caucus co-chairs Reps. Mike Fitzpatrick (R-PA), Sander Levin (D-MI) and Marcy Kaptur (D-OH) released the following statement Tuesday regarding reports that the United States will supply Ukraine with nearly $18 million in aid to provide shelter, food vouchers, potable water and health and sanitation in regions affected by fighting between government forces and pro-Russia fighters:
“The importance of providing humanitarian aid to the people caught in the middle of this fighting cannot be stressed enough. However, this aid is only treating the symptoms of a greater problem. The Government of Ukraine is in dire need of defensive weapons necessary to protect their borders and sovereignty. The defensive articles will help Ukraine to continue the process of economic and government reformsstarted at the Euromaidan.”
Congress has, on multiple occasions, advocated for military aid to enhance the ability of the people of Ukraine to defend their sovereign territory from the unprovoked and continuing aggression of the Russian Federation. Additionally, Sec. of Defense Ashton Carter signaled his support for lethal aid during his confirmation hearing, saying, “We need to support the Ukrainians in defending themselves… I am inclined in the direction of providing them with arms, including… lethal arms.” According to U.N. estimates, as many as 1.2 million Ukrainians have been uprooted due to the Russian-backed invasion to date.
In February, Fitzpatrick, Levin and Kaptur marked the anniversary of Ukraine’s Maidan demonstrations with the introduction of a resolution calling for the United States to assist Ukraine with economic, social and governmental reform efforts; urging President Obama to immediately act on approved financial and defensive military aid; and encouraging Ukrainian president Petro Poroshenko to continue anti-corruption efforts.
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