[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 73 (Tuesday, May 3, 2022)]
[Senate]
[Page S2283]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





 SENATE RESOLUTION 615--EXPRESSING APPRECIATION FOR THE EFFORTS OF THE 
    REPUBLIC OF POLAND TO ASSIST UKRAINIAN REFUGEES AND SUPPORT THE 
    SOVEREIGNTY OF UKRAINE FOLLOWING THE RUSSIAN INVASION OF UKRAINE

  Mr. COONS (for himself, Mr. Blunt, Mr. Durbin, and Mr. Portman) 
submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee 
on Foreign Relations:

                              S. Res. 615

       Whereas, on February 24, 2022, Russian Federation President 
     Vladimir Putin instigated an unprovoked, unjustified, and 
     unlawful war by violating the territorial integrity of the 
     sovereign country of Ukraine;
       Whereas, as of May 3, 2022, more than 5,500,000 Ukrainians 
     have fled Ukraine since the Russian Federation began its 
     invasion;
       Whereas the Republic of Poland has played a critical role 
     in responding to the influx of Ukrainian refugees into 
     Europe, admitting more than half of the Ukrainians who have 
     fled from the conflict;
       Whereas the Republic of Poland has accepted more Ukrainian 
     refugees than any other country, admitting more than 
     3,000,000 Ukrainian refugees as of May 3, 2022;
       Whereas, prior to the invasion, the Republic of Poland had 
     admitted more than 1,500,000 Ukrainians since 2014, when the 
     Russian Federation illegally annexed the Crimea region of 
     Ukraine and started a separatist conflict in eastern Ukraine;
       Whereas the Republic of Poland continues to provide 
     critical services to Ukrainian refugees in the Republic of 
     Poland, including access to the Polish labor market, health 
     care system, education, and social benefits;
       Whereas the people of the Republic of Poland have joined 
     their government in responding to Ukrainian refugees with 
     generosity, leadership, and resolve, including by welcoming 
     Ukrainian refugees into their homes;
       Whereas the leaders of the Republic of Poland supported 
     Ukrainian sovereignty and advocated for the need for a united 
     front against Russian aggression prior to the invasion of 
     Ukraine;
       Whereas the Republic of Poland has facilitated the shipment 
     of humanitarian assistance into Ukraine by collecting and 
     sending aid into Ukraine and by serving as a transit hub, 
     simplifying border crossing procedures, and waiving road 
     tolls for aid trucks;
       Whereas the Republic of Poland continues to provide vital 
     military assistance to Ukraine and serves as a crucial 
     transit hub for sending international military supplies and 
     equipment into Ukraine;
       Whereas the Republic of Poland is a key partner in 
     deterrence efforts against additional Russian aggression in 
     Eastern Europe, including through their hosting of 
     approximately 10,000 United States troops;
       Whereas the Republic of Poland has hosted the United States 
     Embassy Kyiv during its temporary relocation, supporting the 
     vital work of the Department of State of assisting United 
     States citizens and their families departing Ukraine;
       Whereas Poland is a crucial member of the North Atlantic 
     Treaty Organization alliance and a historic friend of the 
     United States: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) thanks the Republic of Poland for its pivotal role 
     accepting Ukrainian refugees; and
       (2) appreciates the ongoing support of the Republic of 
     Poland for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of 
     Ukraine, including through the North Atlantic Treaty 
     Organization alliance.

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