[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 22 (Thursday, February 2, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E88]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         COMMENDING EU SUPPORT OF UKRAINE AMONG ONGOING ATTACKS

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JOE WILSON

                           of south carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, February 2, 2023

  Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, further validating the 
immediate need for the world to support Ukraine in their battle against 
Putin's ongoing murderous and destructive invasion, this week Russian 
missiles hit residential areas in eastern Ukraine, killing more 
civilians and wounding many others.
  This latest attack comes just as European Union officials, including 
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and EU High 
Representative for Foreign Affairs Josep Borrell, met with Ukrainian 
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for their first such summit since late 
2021.
  With the EU as a partner in this global effort to help the people of 
Ukraine during their critical time of need President von der Leyen 
confirmed that EU assistance for Ukraine had now reached $55 billion 
dollars.
  Worldwide unity opposing war criminal Putin is reinforced with 
courageous Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel conducting a 
policy review for supplying defensive weapons to Ukraine.
  During today's joint press conference with President Zelenskyy, 
President von der Leyen said, ``It has been almost one year since Putin 
launched his brutal invasion. One year of suffering but also of 
legendary bravery by the Ukrainian people. And one year of impressive 
unity by the global community. Europe has been by Ukraine's side since 
day one. Because we know that the future of our continent is being 
written here. We know that they are fighting for more than themselves. 
What is at stake is freedom. This is a fight of democracies against 
authoritarian regimes. Putin tries to deny the existence of Ukraine, 
but what he risks instead is the future of Russia. Our presence in Kyiv 
today gives a very clear signal: The whole of the European Union is in 
this with Ukraine, for the long haul. We will stand up for Ukraine, as 
we stand up for the fundamental rights and the respect of the 
international law.''
  She went further to say, ``Overall, the European Union's economic, 
humanitarian and military support for Ukraine amounts now, since the 
beginning of the war, to almost EUR 50 billion. It is important for us 
to give economic security to our friends in Ukraine.''
  I am grateful for the leadership of President von der Leyen and the 
European Union for their tremendous support of Ukraine in their battle 
for freedom against the war criminal Putin.
  God Bless the United States of America. God Bless Ukraine. Ukraine 
will achieve victory.

                          ____________________