Sen. Rob Portman, R-Ohio, center, and Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., right, hold a meeting with members of the Ukrainian Parliament, at the Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, March 30, 2022. From left are: Ukrainian Parliament members Yevheniya Kravchuk and Lesia Zaburanna, Ukrainian Amb. Oksana Markarova, Sen. Rob Portman, R-Ohio, Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., Ukrainian Parliament members Maria Ionova, Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze, and Anastasia Radina. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
Members of Ukraine’s Parliament visited the U.S. Capitol to advocate for more aid to be sent to the Eastern European nation. The all female delegation spoke to reporters on Wednesday at the Ukrainian Embassy, where they laid out a list of what they need in terms of military equipment. Their list includes proper air defense systems and fighter jets.
“We need to kick Russian soldiers off our land and for that, we need all, all possible weapons,” stressed Anastasia Radina, member of Ukrainian Parliament. “We have been discussing the major issue of providing Ukraine with proper air defense systems. We should include jets and we hope that this issue will be dealt with in a in a timely manner because for Ukraine promises or discussions or any other kinds of, frankly inaction, are not helpful anymore.”
They went on to justify their list by saying that it’s the only way for the conflict in their country to end while referencing the city of Mariupol, which has been besieged by the Russian military.
“This is the background on which we assess Russia’s promises and this is why we are saying that the only option to actually receive peace in Ukraine would be for Ukraine to be able to clear our land of Russian troops,” Radina explained. “And for that, we need all kinds of weapons, including fighter jets.”
As a member of the Ukraine Caucus, I was honored to welcome members of Ukraine's parliament to the Capitol. Their stories are a stark reminder of both the ongoing devastation and critical need for support.
As the sign says, "Ukraine is the scrimmage line for liberty and Europe." pic.twitter.com/w4meAVqNfQ
— Rep. Susan Wild (@RepSusanWild) March 30, 2022
The delegation then requested for more sanctions to be placed on Russia while also asking for new financial instruments to help Ukraine recover from the war economically.
“We need more sanctions because in mid-term perspective, it’s a great instrument in this battle,” stated Lesia Zaburanna, member of Ukraine Parliament. “And of course, we need new financial instruments, which will help our economy to a life after our victory and be absolutely sure that this, our nation with our president with all our people and with your support, Ukraine in future will be a symbol of victory for all the world.”
Their visit comes as President Joe Biden agreed on Wednesday to send an additional $500 million in aid to the war torn country.
.@POTUS informed President Zelenskyy that the U.S. intends to provide Ukraine with $500M in direct budgetary aid and reviewed additional sanctions and humanitarian assistance announced last week. President Zelenskyy gave an update on Ukraine’s negotiations with Russia.
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) March 30, 2022
Source: One America News Network
