U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell is homeward bound after a visit with Ukrainian President Zelenskyy in Kyiv and diplomats from two nations that wish to join NATO, Sweden and Finland.
The Kentucky Republican senator led a delegation from the U.S. Senate that included Sens. John Barrasso, R-Wyo., Susan Collins, R-Maine, and John Cornyn, R-Texas, to meet with the Ukrainian president and other allies.
“Our delegation reaffirmed to President Zelenskyy that the United States stands squarely behind Ukraine and will sustain our support until Ukraine wins this war,” McConnell said. “It is also essential that America not stand alone. Our allies and partners must continue to step up and do their part. For his part, President Zelenskyy asked us to relay Ukraine’s gratitude to the American people for our support in this dark hour.”
McConnell also gave assurance to Sweden and Findland about their wish to join NATO, a move that has prompted a rebuke from Russian President Vladimir Putin.
“I gave both the Swedish and Finnish leaders my personal assurance that I would fully support their NATO accession,” McConnell said. “As Senate Republican Leader, I would do everything in my power to ensure that our part of their accession process moves smoothly and expeditiously.”
A bill that would send an additional $40 billion in aid to Ukraine is stalled in Congress.
