Shaheen Statement on Zelenskyy Address to Congress
(Washington, DC) – U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Europe and Regional Security Cooperation, issued the following statement following Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s virtual address to Congress:
“President Zelenskyy’s steadfast leadership and unwavering resolve has not only inspired the fighting spirit among Ukrainians as they defend their land, freedom and future, but also people throughout the world watching Ukraine hold the line for liberal democracies around the globe,” said Shaheen. “Much like I’ve experienced in conversations with President Zelenskyy, today he was clear on what his country needs at this precarious time as Putin’s unprovoked, premeditated war reaps chaos, death and devastation throughout Ukraine. The gross human rights abuses we are witnessing – from targeting hospitals, schools and other civilian infrastructure – to shelling corridors needed for safe passage, demonstrate the urgent need for additional military and humanitarian assistance to Ukraine, as well as our frontline NATO allies who are leading the charge on addressing the humanitarian crisis and providing security assistance along the border. It is clear that more must be done to assist Ukraine and hold Putin to account. I will continue working with lawmakers in Congress to address the asks and needs raised by President Zelenskyy to ensure the U.S. is responding in real time to the developing crisis. The images we watched today underscore the horrific violence – the war crimes – being committed by Putin. He will pay for what he has done, and the global community will continue to work together to counter his forces and influence in Ukraine and the region. We are united in support of Ukraine today, tomorrow and always – Slava Ukraini.”
Shaheen has led action in the U.S. Senate in support of Ukraine in response to Vladimir Putin’s belligerence against Ukraine, which also threatens the stability and security of Eastern Europe and NATO allies. Last month, Shaheen led a successful bipartisan effort with Portman to pass a resolution that conveys a renewed and overwhelmingly bipartisan message from the U.S. Senate in fierce support of Ukraine. In January, Shaheen and Portman led a bipartisan delegation to Ukraine, where they met with President Zelenskyy and members of his administration. As a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, she supported the inclusion of $13.6 billion in security assistance that was part of government funding legislation signed into law by President Biden.
Senator Shaheen has long led efforts in the Senate to hold Russia accountable for its malign activity against the U.S. and its allies. Because of her role as a negotiator on Russia sanctions legislation known as “CAATSA” and her successful efforts to ban Kaspersky Lab software from operating on U.S. systems, Shaheen was sanctioned by the Kremlin in 2017. Before the Shaheen-Portman congressional delegation visit to Ukraine in January, Shaheen led a bipartisan group of lawmakers to Eastern Europe, including Ukraine, last June.
