McConnell Welcomes More U.S. Assistance for Ukraine
‘There is strong, bipartisan support for continuing to assist Ukraine and strengthen its ability to resist Russian interference.’
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) released the following statement regarding President Trump’s decision to provide U.S. assistance to Ukraine:
“I welcome the administration’s decision to release funds appropriated by Congress to help Ukraine reform and strengthen its defense capabilities, defend its sovereignty, counter Russian aggression, and advance the cause of political and economic reforms to cement that country’s positive democratic trajectory.
“I criticized President Obama for not responding more swiftly and forcefully to Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine. I joined my colleagues on both sides of the aisle in pushing that Administration to provide assistance to Kyiv.
“President Trump made the right call to expand the types of military assistance we’ve provided, including lethal defensive weapons, so Ukraine can better defend its sovereignty against Russian aggression. It would have been a mistake to hold back our assistance to the brave people of Ukraine. Doing so would have undermined our partners in Ukraine and Eastern Europe and further emboldened the Kremlin. There is strong, bipartisan support for continuing to assist Ukraine and strengthen its ability to resist Russian interference.
“I am hopeful that Ukraine’s new government will follow through on its commitment to breaking oligarchs’ grip on the country’s political and economic institutions, countering corruption, and advancing the political, economic, and judicial reforms that are essential to maintaining the Western orientation that Ukrainian voters have demanded.
“I hope our European partners will work closely with the administration to help Ukraine continue on the path of reform -- and continue to press Moscow to fulfill its obligations under the Minsk agreements, including removing its forces from Ukraine and disbanding the illegal armed groups that Russia supports.”
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