Blumenthal Statement on Bipartisan Meeting with Ukrainian President Zelenskyy
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, released the following statement after joining a bipartisan meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and a delegation from Ukraine:
The agreement today is a start toward strengthening support for Ukraine—with economic benefits for both sides but a clear, urgent need for security guarantees. An American commitment—a real, reliable military backstop—is vital to defeat and deter Putin from continued aggression. NATO membership for Ukraine is the most cost-effective way to guarantee its security, but in the meantime, an agreement submitted to the Senate as a treaty should be pursued. It could embody the standard that was offered in the Stand for Ukraine Act that I introduced in September with Senator Graham, providing “a credible defensive and deterrent capability.”
I deeply regret the underlying premise of this agreement that Ukraine must pay America for its defense, and that Ukrainian resources should be exploited for that purpose. It smacks of extortionate demands, when Ukraine is fighting for our security and freedom as well as theirs. If Putin is not stopped in Ukraine, he will continue his murderous assault against other European nations and ourselves, obligating direct involvement of American troops. Arms provided to Ukraine are an investment in American companies and American jobs. And our military is learning significant lessons in modern warfare from Ukraine. We should be supporting Ukraine militarily and economically without extracting payment.
Given the realities of today’s politics, I am clear-eyed in recognizing that a reset in America’s relationship with Ukraine is necessary, making our investment there a form of security commitment on its own. Trillions of dollars in natural resources will help support Ukrainian and American mutual defense, but actual mineral development on a significant scale may be years away. In the meantime, America must be an enduring and reliable ally.
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