May 06, 2022

Duckworth Hosts National Security Council Discussion with Chicago Ukrainian Community

 

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) hosted a discussion to bring together members of Chicago’s Ukrainian community with officials from the U.S. National Security Council to help provide residents with updates from the Biden Administration on its efforts in Ukraine. On her National Security Council call, Duckworth invited representatives from the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America-Illinois Division, St. Joseph Ukrainian Catholic Church, Ukrainian Medical Association of North America, Ukrainian National Museum of Chicago, Kyiv – Sister Cities Chicago, Consulate General of Ukraine, Chicago and Razom. The Chicago Metropolitan Area is home to the second-largest population of Ukrainian-Americans in the United States.

“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,” Duckworth said. “Here in Chicago, I know how difficult the past few months have been for our Ukrainian community, and I was glad to be able to bring so many together to receive critical updates from the Biden Administration’s National Security Council. I am dedicated to supporting Ukraine and making sure we do whatever we can to support Ukrainians and their families right now in the face of these unjustified and unjustifiable attacks.”

As a member of the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC), Duckworth has been a strong supporter of Ukraine against Russia’s escalating invasion. Earlier this year Duckworth met with Ukrainian community leaders in Chicago and virtually to express her support and share resources on how her office can help.

Thanks to the generosity of Americans and the leadership of President Biden, the United States has delivered for Ukraine. Over the course of the last two months, Congress appropriated and the President allocated roughly $14 billion in funding for security, humanitarian and economic support that has allowed the United States to respond to Russia’s aggression in Ukraine at a scope, scale, and speed that has never been seen before, making us by far the largest supporter of Ukraine.

U.S. assistance has made a significant difference on the battlefield, helping the brave citizens of Ukraine and to continue to deplete the Russian military. These funds have also helped the U.S. to reinforce the Eastern flank of NATO, maintain the unity of the alliance in the face of Russian efforts to divide us and impose severe consequences on Russia and its enablers.

The U.S. also continues to support the Ukrainian people, including by providing humanitarian and economic assistance.  In addition, the United States will also welcome up to 100,000 Ukrainians through Uniting for Ukraine, a new streamlined process to provide Ukrainian citizens who have fled Russia’s unprovoked war of aggression opportunities to come to the United States.

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