Portman, Durbin, Members of Bipartisan Senate Ukraine Caucus Urge President Biden to Continue to Support Ukraine and Reject Unprovoked Aggression by Russia

Press Release

Today, U.S. Senators Rob Portman (R-OH) and Dick Durbin (D-IL), along with other members of the bipartisan Senate Ukraine Caucus, sent a letter to President Biden, calling on the administration to continue support to Ukraine, as it faces an unprovoked buildup of Russian military forces. In just the past month, attacks on Ukraine by Russia killed 31 Ukrainian soldiers. The Senators also pointed out that Congress has provided robust assistance to Ukraine in the past and stands ready to do so again.

Senator Portman and Durbin were joined by Senators John Barasso (R-WY), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Ron Johnson (R-WI), Bob Casey (D-PA), Pat Toomey (R-PA), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Joni Ernst (R-IA), Ben Cardin, (D-MD), Sherrod Brown, (D-OH), John Cornyn (R-TX), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Jim Inhofe (R-OK), Gary Peters (D-MI)

"Ukraine is a strategic security partner of the United States that desires to align itself with democratic values. Since 2014, President Putin has engaged in an unrelenting campaign of military and political actions designed to deny Ukraine this dream and draw them back into the Kremlin's sphere of influence," said the Senators. "It is critical that we continue to push back against Putin's aggression and support the brave people of Ukraine."

In the Senate-passed FY 2021 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), Portman worked to ensure that Ukraine has the necessary lethal aid to defend against continued Russian aggression. The Senate-passed FY 2021 NDAA includes $250 million in security assistance for Ukraine to fund additional training, lethal and non-lethal equipment, and advisory efforts for Ukraine's forces. In addition, the bill includes a Portman proposal to require DoD and DoS to develop a new, multi-year strategy to support the development of Ukraine's military forces, increasing its capability and capacity and providing a resource plan for US security assistance. This report will better synchronize and prioritize future U.S. security assistance to Ukraine by identifying gaps and shortfalls that need to be addressed. Portman also highlighted bipartisan legislation he co-sponsored called the Ukraine Security Partnership Act, which will provide security assistance and strategic support to Ukraine.

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