Source: United States Senator for West Virginia Shelley Moore Capito
Click here or on the image above to watch Senator Capito’s remarks at today’s press conference.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) today released the below statement after joining nine of her Senate colleagues in a bipartisan Senate delegation visit to Poland and Germany this past weekend. Senator Capito and her colleagues also held a press conference today to discuss what they saw on the trip, key takeaways, and next steps in supporting Ukraine.
“When Vladimir Putin waged his unjust and immoral war on Ukraine, he expected to easily conquer a nation, divide our NATO alliance, and the world. Instead, as we saw firsthand during our visit to Germany and Poland over the weekend, the opposite happened. In the face of a land war and humanitarian crisis perpetrated by a tyrant, we are as united as ever, and our resolve in supporting the people of Ukraine is steadfast. Whether it was the generosity of the Polish people in taking in and caring for refugees, Germany’s increased military posture, or the work of our own military in support of our NATO allies, there was a clear sense of unity in accomplishing our shared mission on the ground to ensure a free and independent Ukraine. Our visit was also a powerful reminder that as Russian forces continue to target women and children, we must continue providing the weapons and military equipment Ukraine needs not just to fend off Russian troops, but to actually win the war. Ukraine still needs our help, and the United States stands firmly with them in defense of their democracy,” Senator Capito said.
To watch Senator Capito’s full remarks at today’s press conference, click here.
Earlier today, Senator Capito also joined Meet The Press to discuss the trip and future support for Ukraine. Click here for the full interview.
TRIP DETAILS:
Senator Capito was joined by Senators Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), Angus King (I-Maine), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), and Roger Marshall (R-Kan.).
The bipartisan delegation engaged with military leaders from the United States Army Europe-Africa (USAREUR-AF) in Wiesbaden, Germany about the United States’ and NATO alliances’ commitment to freedom over tyranny.
From there, the delegation met with U.S. officials in Berlin at the U.S. Embassy to get an up-to-date brief on American-German long-term economic and security cooperation goals.
In Berlin, the group of bipartisan senators discussed our continued security partnership with German State Secretary of the Federal Foreign Office Andreas Michaelis. The members met with German Parliamentarians over dinner in Berlin.
The next day, the senators had a security briefing with leaders from the 82nd Airborne Division stationed in Poland and learned more about their effort to assist and deter Russia from further aggression. The military leaders then led a roundtable discussion with the senators, NATO allied military leaders, and non-government organizations (NGOs) helping with the humanitarian needs in Ukraine and throughout Europe.
The bipartisan delegation then visited a refugee processing center near the Ukrainian-Polish border where they saw firsthand how organizations are working with the Polish military and government to care for Ukrainians who’ve fled their homes. Included in the visit was a meeting with volunteers from the World Central Kitchen who are helping feed the millions of refugees coming through this facility.
The final stop in Poland was a discussion with members of Ukrainian civil society. This included a group of passionate women who provided a clear message to the senators: Ukraine needs more military and lethal aid to win this fight. Included in the meeting were State Department officials originally stationed at Embassy Kyiv.
On the last day, the 10 senators visited a U.S. Army base in Grafenwohr, Germany. They received a firsthand briefing of the military mission, met with constituents from each of the states represented on the trip, including West Virginia, and saw the might of the U.S. Army in action.
The senators returned to the United States late on Sunday, March 20.
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