Members of the House Armed Services Committee issued a statement this weekend after meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Minister of Defense Oleksiy Reznikov during their visit to Ukraine. Florida Rep. Michael Waltz (R), a member of the delegation, also shared images of the meeting with Zelenskyy on social media, affirming the United States' support.
In the statement, the lawmakers explained that they experienced "just how deeply Vladimir Putin’s war in Ukraine has failed to achieve his aims," noting that "Putin’s aggression has brought Ukraine and the other democracies of Europe closer together, not driven them apart."
Waltz also took to Twitter to share a picture of the meeting, which also included the delegation.
Briefed by @ZelenskyyUa today on oversight of U.S. military aid and his strategy to WIN the fight for Ukraine’s freedom. pic.twitter.com/gYWXp9X26k
— Rep. Mike Waltz (@michaelgwaltz) July 23, 2022
The lawmakers commented that Putin's "contempt for the rules-based international order has resulted in devastating isolation for the Russian economy and renewed purpose for the NATO alliance. But the costs for Putin’s failure have not only fallen on the Russian economy or the Russian military, which has lost thousands of soldiers to his strategic blunders." This has led to the lives of Ukrainians "violently disrupted by Putin’s war – and we saw evidence of the Russian atrocities firsthand while we visited Irpin and Bucha."
In response to Russia's "unlawful further invasion began," the lawmakers shared that "President Zelenskyy and the people of Ukraine continue to inspire the world with their courageous fight for their freedom, sovereignty, and democracy."
The United States, which has been supportive of Ukraine's efforts to fend off against Russia "have stood with Ukraine by providing economic, military, and humanitarian assistance — and we have imposed a range of unprecedented sanctions and other measures to hold Putin and his cronies accountable, increase pressure on the Russian economy, and disrupt the Russian war machine."
In turn, the lawmakers expressed that the United States "will continue to seek ways to support President Zelenskyy and the Ukrainian people as effectively as possible as they continue their brave stand.”
