Philadelphia, Pa
Nancy Pelosi leads delegation to Kyiv and Poland; vows U.S. support
The American legislators assessed Ukraine’s wants for the following section of the conflict, with Pelosi vowing that Washington would stand with the nation till it defeats Russia.
Pelosi, a California Democrat who’s second in line to the presidency after the vice chairman, was probably the most senior American lawmaker to go to Ukraine since Russia’s conflict started greater than two months in the past. Her beforehand unannounced go to got here simply days after Moscow bombed the Ukrainian capital whereas the U.N. secretary-general was there.
Pelosi and a half-dozen U.S. lawmakers met for 3 hours late Saturday with Zelenskyy and his prime aides to get a first-hand evaluation of the conflict effort to this point.
Talking to reporters Sunday in Poland, the delegation members had been unanimous in praising Ukraine’s defenses to this point, in portray the battle of 1 pretty much as good towards evil and in assuring continued long-term U.S. navy, humanitarian and financial help.
“We had been proud to convey to him the message of unity from the Congress of the USA, a message of appreciation from the American individuals for his management and admiration for the individuals of Ukraine for his or her braveness,” Pelosi mentioned.
Their go to got here two days after U.S. President Joe Biden requested Congress for $33 billion to bolster Ukraine’s struggle towards Russia, greater than twice the scale of the preliminary $13.6 billion assist measure that Congress enacted early final month and now’s virtually drained.
With the conflict dragging into its third month, the measure was designed to sign to Russian President Vladimir Putin that U.S. weaponry and different types of help weren’t going away.
“It is a time we get up for democracy or we enable autocracy to rule the day,” mentioned Rep. Gregory Meeks, a Democrat from Queens, New York.
“It is a wrestle of freedom towards tyranny,” mentioned Rep. Adam Schiff, a Democrat from California. “And in that wrestle, Ukraine is on the entrance traces.”
Rep. Jason Crow, a Democrat from Colorado, a veteran and a member of the Home intelligence and armed companies committee, mentioned he got here to Ukraine with three areas of focus: “Weapons, weapons and weapons.”
“We have now to verify the Ukrainians have what they should win. What we’ve got seen within the final two months is their ferocity, their intense delight, their skill to struggle and their skill to win if they’ve the help to take action.”
“The USA of America is on this to win, and we are going to stand with Ukraine till victory is received,” he added.
The complete congressional delegation included Meeks, who chairs the Home Overseas Affairs Committee; Schiff, who chairs the Home Intelligence Committee; Jim McGovern of Massachusetts who chairs the Home Guidelines Committee; Crow, Barbara Lee of California; and Invoice Keating of Massachusetts.
“You all are welcome,” Zelenskyy informed the delegation, in accordance with a video of the encounter launched by his workplace.
Pelosi informed Zelenskyy: “We consider that we’re visiting you to say thanks on your struggle for freedom.”
“We’re on a frontier of freedom and your struggle is a struggle for everybody. Our dedication is to be there for you till the struggle is completed,” Pelosi added.
The delegation continued its journey in southeast Poland, and members had been later visiting the capital, Warsaw, to satisfy with President Andrzej Duda and different senior officers. Poland has acquired greater than 3 million refugees from Ukraine since Russia launched its conflict on Feb. 24.
“We look ahead to thanking our Polish allies for his or her dedication and humanitarian efforts,” Pelosi mentioned.
Talking at a information convention in Poland, Pelosi mentioned she and others within the delegation applauded the braveness of the Ukrainian individuals. She added that the delegation introduced Zelenskyy “a message of appreciation from the American individuals for his management.”
Eyewitness Information reporter Josh Einiger, who traveled to Poland this week, requested Pelosi about threats from Putin that U.S. involvement could possibly be seen as provocation.
“Don’t be bullied by bullies, if they’re making threats — you can’t again down,” Pelosi mentioned. “We’re there for the struggle and you can’t fold to a bully.”
McGovern mentioned Russia’s conflict had repercussions far past Ukraine, saying it was exacerbating a meals disaster that will be disastrous for poor individuals throughout the globe.
“Putin’s brutal conflict is not solely a conflict towards the individuals of Ukraine,” McGovern mentioned. “It is also a conflict towards the world’s most weak.”
He added that Ukraine is a “breadbasket of the world.”
“I do not suppose that Putin cares if he starves the world,” McGovern mentioned.
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