Menendez: Congress should stand with Ukraine

Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) said Ukraine is facing a “watershed” moment and Congress should support their efforts to ward off Russian aggression.

Menendez’s comments came ahead of a joint session of Congress next Thursday where lawmakers will hear from Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko.

{mosads}“President Poroshenko is standing at the frontlines of an international conflict where peace, security, and the international order are under threat by a Russian military that invaded Ukrainian sovereign territory,” Menendez said on Friday. “Ukraine is facing a watershed moment in its history and members of Congress and people across the United States must hear from President Poroshenko directly about the critical situation facing his country.”

The Obama administration has already issued sanctions against Russia and sent non-lethal military aid, such as night-vision goggles and medical kits, to Ukraine. But some lawmakers have called for lethal military aid since Russian President Vladimir Putin has not been deterred in supporting separatists in Eastern Ukraine. 

Menendez predicted that Poroshenko would have a warm reception from lawmakers next week.

“President Poroshenko will be received with open arms in Congress and Ukraine’s continued pursuit of democratic freedom in the face of Russian interference will be loudly applauded and celebrated,” Menendez said.