WARSAW, Poland — A U.S. congressional delegation led by Home Speaker Nancy Pelosi praised the braveness of the Ukrainian individuals in remarks throughout a go to to Poland on Sunday, a day after a shock journey to Kyiv to satisfy with President Volodymr Zelenskyy.
The American legislators assessed Ukraine’s wants for the following section of the battle, 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 vp, was essentially the most senior American lawmaker to go to Ukraine since Russia’s battle 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 high aides to get a first-hand evaluation of the battle effort so far. Talking to reporters Sunday in Poland, the delegation members have been unanimous in praising Ukraine’s defenses up to now, in portray the battle of 1 nearly as good in opposition to evil and in assuring continued long-term U.S. navy, humanitarian and financial assist.
“We have been proud to convey to him the message of unity from the Congress of america, 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 in opposition to Russia, greater than twice the dimensions of the preliminary $13.6 billion assist measure that Congress enacted early final month and now’s virtually drained. With the battle 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.
“This can be a time we get up for democracy or we permit autocracy to rule the day,” mentioned Rep. Gregory Meeks, a Democrat from New York.
“This can be a wrestle of freedom in opposition to 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 providers committee, mentioned he got here to Ukraine with three areas of focus: “Weapons, weapons and weapons.”
“We’ve to verify the Ukrainians have what they should win. What now we have 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 assist to take action.”
“The US of America is on this to win, and we are going to stand with Ukraine till victory is gained,” he added.
The total 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 instructed the delegation, in response to a video of the encounter launched by his workplace.
Pelosi instructed Zelenskyy: “We imagine that we’re visiting you to say thanks in 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 finished,” Pelosi added.
The delegation continued its journey in southeast Poland, and members have 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 battle on Feb. 24.
“We sit up for 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.”
McGovern mentioned Russia’s battle had repercussions far past Ukraine, saying it was exacerbating a meals disaster that may be disastrous for poor individuals throughout the globe.
“Putin’s brutal battle is now not solely a battle in opposition to the individuals of Ukraine,” McGovern mentioned. “It’s additionally a battle in opposition to the world’s most susceptible.”
He added that Ukraine is a “breadbasket of the world.”
“I don’t suppose that Putin cares if he starves the world,” McGovern mentioned.
A earlier model of this story was corrected to point out that Pelosi is second in line to the presidency, not third.
