[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 153 (Thursday, September 21, 2023)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4637-S4638]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                                UKRAINE

  Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, earlier this morning, it was my distinct 
honor, along with Leader McConnell, to welcome Ukrainian President 
Zelenskyy to the United States. It is always a privilege to welcome a 
foreign head of state to the Capitol, but rarely in history have we 
heard directly from a leader who is fighting for his country's survival 
and fighting to preserve the idea of democracy.
  I told the Members that, right now, this courageous man is at the 
fulcrum of democracy and freedom. And my message to President Zelenskyy 
and to my colleagues was simple: America must always stand with our 
friends around the world, and that includes the people of Ukraine.
  President Zelenskyy could not have arrived at a more crucial moment 
for his country and for Congress. Right now, Ukraine is engaged in a 
major counteroffensive against Putin's forces to reclaim their own 
territory and turn the tide of their bloody and brutal conflict. But it 
is also a moment for Congress too. It is very clear that if we were to 
have a government shutdown or pass a CR without Ukrainian aid, the 
damage to Ukraine's campaign would be devastating.
  In fact, to quote President Zelenskyy, in the room--and this is a 
quote--he said: If we don't get the aid, we will lose the war.
  That is a quote from President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. That is how stark 
the issue is. Nothing would make Putin happier right now than to see 
the United States waver in our support for the Ukrainian people.

[[Page S4638]]

  This is not just about Ukrainian security, but as President Zelenskyy 
reminded us, it is about American security, as well, because a 
victorious Putin would be an emboldened Putin.
  What is the point of cutting off support now, when we are at a 
turning point in the war, when we have invested a large amount of 
resources to get to this turning point? To be sure, there are some on 
the hard right who say we should abandon Ukraine and negotiate with 
Putin. It is ironic that the hard right, which historically opposed 
communism, now openly flirts with autocrats like Putin.
  Giving Putin what he wants, for America to abandon Ukraine--that is 
what Putin wants--would be a terrible, terrible mistake and one I think 
that would come back to haunt us more rapidly and quickly than people 
believe.
  Now is not the time to take our foot off the gas when it comes to 
helping Ukraine. Turning our backs would make the world less safe for 
American democracy.
  I commend President Zelenskyy for his leadership during this 
unprecedented moment in his country's history. I thank him for his 
visit. I thank him for his courage. I thank him for his steadfastness. 
And I will keep working to ensure we continue supporting the Ukrainian 
people.

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