McConnell: Helping Ukraine Defends America’s ‘Core Interests’

Addressing the US Senate ahead of the scheduled arrival in Washington of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on December 21, Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell said continued assistance to Ukraine was crucial to defending American interests. “I look forward to welcoming President Zelensky to the Capitol and to hearing from the Ukrainian people’s elected leader at a critical moment in their struggle for their safety and their sovereignty against Russia’s unhinged aggression,” McConnell said. “And let’s be clear: the reason that a big bipartisan majority of the American people and big bipartisan majorities in Congress support continuing to assist is not primarily about inspiring speeches or a desire to engage in philanthropy. The Ukrainian people are courageous and innocent and they deserve our help,” he said. “President Zelensky is an inspiring leader, but the most basic reasons for continuing to help Ukraine degrade and defeat the Russian invaders are cold, hard, practical American interests,” McConnell said. McConnell said providing security assistance to Ukraine would reduce Russia’s ability to “menace America, threaten our allies, and contest our core interests.” He continued, “By assisting Ukraine today, America is directly demonstrating our commitment to the basic principles of territorial integrity and national sovereignty.” Credit: US Congress via Storyful

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