Buckeye Reporter

Today, Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-09) – Co-Chair of the bipartisan Congressional Ukraine Caucus – released the following statement on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s address to Congress.

“President Zelenskyy’s clear appeal for further assistance to combat Russia’s war has broad support in Congress, including from me. Just last week, I joined with my colleagues on a bipartisan basis to vote for nearly $14 billion in additional defensive, economic, and humanitarian aid for Ukraine.

“Yet, because of Russia’s far larger military budget and troop levels, this additional assistance is necessary but not enough. Russia’s airpower and nuclear arsenal have the ability to level Ukraine and all of Europe.

“The valor of the Ukrainian people in the face of this unprovoked attack is awe inspiring, and necessitates greater support from the world to isolate and defeat Vladimir Putin.

“Putin’s invasion of a nation that seeks to be free, peaceful, and democratic has transformed Ukraine into not only the scrimmage line for Liberty in Europe – but the scrimmage line for Liberty throughout the world.

“The Free World must beat back this illegal upending of the international rule of law. Democratic nations must assure the security of nations like Ukraine when they are threatened by ruthless outlaws.

“President Zelenskyy’s call for the establishment of a new global security arrangement to defend nations like Ukraine against their enemies makes sense. Members of the United Nations, NATO, and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe must do exactly that.

“The United Nations should convene 24 hours a day until full, devastating sanctions are effectively imposed on Russia, and a cease fire is negotiated. NATO should convene to assure Ukraine has support from democratic nations regardless of membership.

“Ukraine must not be subjected to annihilation by a beast as the rest of the world watches. If this test of Ukraine’s sovereignty is not met forcefully, the beast will feast on whatever prey it seeks. The task of defending Liberty is not one we should defer to our children and grandchildren – it is one we must embrace now.”