[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 84 (Tuesday, May 17, 2022)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2525-S2526]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                                UKRAINE

  Mr. McCONNELL. Madam President, yesterday, in a bipartisan landslide, 
the Senate advanced legislation to get more arms and assistance to the 
innocent people of Ukraine.
  Senators Collins, Cornyn, Barrasso, and I just returned last night 
from Europe. Our first stop was Kyiv. It was moving to feel some of the 
impacts of Putin's aggression, to see a free and independent nation 
made to literally fight for its life. But it was also inspiring to 
witness the bravery and the determination that have united Ukrainians 
in the face of this onslaught.
  Ukraine has had more than its share of domestic political differences 
in recent years. Putin must have thought some Ukrainians would 
welcome--would actually welcome--invading Russian forces. Instead, both 
Ukrainian-speaking and Russian-speaking Ukrainians have united in 
defense of their sovereign nation. Some predicted Ukraine would fold in 
a few days and Russia would stroll right to Kyiv. That was wrong too. 
Ukraine is tough, and Kyiv remains in Ukrainian hands, with life moving 
back toward normalcy despite the continued threat.

  Our delegation was honored to meet with President Zelenskyy. He 
expressed his gratitude to the United States for our leadership and 
support on a bipartisan basis, as well as for other countries that have 
stood by his people in their time of need. America is not the only free 
country that has Ukraine's back. President Zelenskyy was moved by 
certain European countries who have given Ukraine, in his words, 
literally ``everything they had.'' Of course, other European countries 
can and should do more to help Ukraine. And the administration should 
lead an effort to ensure broad, sustained international support for 
Ukraine.
  America's support for Ukraine has highlighted the limits to our 
stockpiles of certain munitions and shortcomings in our own defense 
production capacity. A number of European countries have dipped even 
deeper into their weapons inventories. They will need a refill as well.
  As our European friends wake up from their ``holiday from history'' 
and increase defense spending, I hope the United States will be a 
reliable supplier of advanced weaponry to our NATO allies, a textbook 
win-win.
  Our delegation reiterated to President Zelenskyy the bipartisan 
consensus which the Senate demonstrated with last night's vote. The 
United States of America has Ukraine's back and will stand with our 
friends until they win.
  Ukraine is not asking anybody to fight their fight for them. They are 
only asking for help in getting the resources and tools they need to 
defend themselves. And we and our friends and partners across the free 
world will stand behind Ukraine until they achieve victory as they 
define it. The outcome of this fight has major ramifications for the 
West, and the Ukrainians should not be left to stand all alone.
  As an overwhelming bipartisan majority of the Senate reaffirmed 
yesterday, America's decision to support Ukraine is not some frivolous 
act of

[[Page S2526]]

charity. It serves our own national security and strategic interests 
for international borders to continue to actually mean something. It 
serves our own security and interest to impose massive costs on Putin's 
long-running campaign of violent imperialism. And it directly and 
powerfully serves our national interest to deter potential future wars 
of aggression before they start.
  So, Madam President, I assure you that President Xi and the CCP are 
watching Ukraine carefully. There is a concrete reason why democratic 
Asian countries like Japan and Taiwan are rooting hard for Ukraine to 
prevail. Moreover, if we are stuck in a long-term strategic competition 
with China, we will want a stable, secure, and strong Europe on our 
side.
  Speaking of America's national interest, our delegation also visited 
what we hope and expect will soon be the two newest members of the NATO 
alliance. We arrived in Stockholm and Helsinki just as the leaders of 
Sweden and Finland announced their nations will seek to join the 
alliance that has secured peace in Europe for more than 73 years.
  It was an honor to have robust discussions with Prime Minister 
Andersson, Defense Minister Hultqvist, and key parliamentary leaders in 
Stockholm; and President Niinisto, Prime Minister Marin, Defense 
Minister Kaikkonen, and parliamentary leaders in Helsinki. I gave them 
my assurance as Senate Republican leader that I fully support both 
Finland's and Sweden's accession. I will do all I can to speed treaty 
ratification through the Senate.
  Finland and Sweden are impressive and capable countries, with 
military capabilities that surpass many of our existing NATO allies. As 
new members, they would more than pull their weight.
  These two nations' geographic locations are strategic. They have 
well-equipped and professional armed forces. Their military and high-
tech industrial bases are robust. There is already significant 
interoperability that connects their defenses and NATO's. I will have 
more to say on this subject in the days and weeks ahead. Finland and 
Sweden would make NATO even stronger than it stands today.
  Finally, it must be noted that our delegation was not the most 
important group of Americans shipping out to stand with our friends in 
Europe--not by a longshot. There are 100,000 American soldiers 
currently stationed in Europe to bolster the peace and shore up NATO. 
This includes the Kentucky-based V Corps.
  And we received word just last week that 4,700 members of the 101st 
Airborne from Kentucky's Fort Campbell will also travel to Europe in 
the coming months. The Screaming Eagles have a long history of 
defending America's national security interests in Europe. I am proud 
of these brave men and women for being ready to deploy at a moment's 
notice. I am proud America can make this peaceful contribution to our 
allies' sovereignty and strength in Europe, and I am proud of the 
entire Fort Campbell community for keeping these men and women well-
prepared for this mission.

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