March 26, 2022

In Chicago, Duckworth Reiterates Support for Ukraine

 

[CHICAGO, IL] – In Chicago’s Ukrainian Village neighborhood, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) met with several community leaders, activists and stakeholders, including Ukrainian Congress Committee leadership to reiterate her support for Ukraine against Vladimir Putin’s war of choice. During this morning’s meeting, Duckworth and the group discussed the importance of Americans supporting Ukraine and Ukrainian Americans, as well as her legislative efforts to help empower Ukrainians as they fight for their survival. Along with Ukrainian Congress Committee of America, Illinois Division officials, Duckworth was joined in the meeting by the Consul General of Ukraine in Chicago Serhiy Koledov and representatives from several local community organizations. Photos from today’s event are available here.

“I’m thankful for this opportunity to meet with so many leaders of the vibrant and resilient Ukrainian-American community in Illinois,” Duckworth said. “Our country and the world remain in awe of the bravery of the Ukrainian people who are so effectively defending their homeland and their freedom and are continuing to repel Putin’s forces against overwhelming odds. I am dedicated to supporting Ukraine and ensuring we continue leading the free world in isolating and punishing Russia for starting this war and ensuring we supply Ukraine with the resources and weapons they need to be able to beat back Putin’s violent invasion.”

As a member of the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC), Duckworth has been a strong supporter of Ukraine against Russia’s invasion. Last week, she joined U.S. Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Jack Reed (D-RI), Mark Warner (D-VA), Jon Tester (D-MT) and six of her colleagues in introducing the Digital Asset Sanctions Compliance Enhancement Act to ensure that Vladimir Putin and Russian elites can’t use digital assets to undermine the international community’s economic sanctions against Russia following its invasion of Ukraine.

Earlier this month, Duckworth urged the Biden Administration to accelerate the sale of M1A2 SEPv3 tanks to Poland. The letter also asked the Biden Administration to engage with additional NATO allies to determine if the Russian Federation’s brutal act of war requires the U.S to develop and execute any additional sales to strengthen the military capabilities of other NATO members. She also called on the Biden Administration to grant Temporary Protected Status to Ukrainians in the U.S. following the Russian military invasion and brought Adjutant General of Illinois and Commander of the Illinois National Guard Major General Rich Neely as her virtual guest to the State of the Union Address, who is responsible for the critical role the ILNG plays in helping train troops in places like Ukraine and Poland.

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