Sens. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, Mark Kelly, D-AZ, Joe Manchin, D-WV, and Tammy Duckworth, D-IL, have come out in support of the Biden administration’s decision to provide additional weapons to Ukraine, including cluster munitions, to support their fight against Russian invaders.
“After visiting Kyiv, I believe more strongly than ever that the U.S. must do more to help Ukraine and its citizens defend their country from Russia’s catastrophic aggression,” Murkowski said, in a statement issued by the four senators on July 7. “While a decision like this could never be made lightly, it ultimately became necessary to ensure Ukraine prevails in this catastrophic war.”
Murkowski is a senior member of the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee.
Murkowski, Kelly and Manchin traveled to Ukraine and Poland in April on a bipartisan Senate delegation. They met with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and discussed how weapons provided by the United States and U.S. allies are being used and maintained, as well as additional weapons that would help Ukraine on the battlefield.
“Vladimir Putin continues to commit war crimes and atrocities against the Ukrainian people,” said Kelly, a combat veteran and Senate Airland Armed Services Subcommittee chairman. “They are outmatched by Russia’s use of tens of thousands of artillery cluster rounds that are more effective against certain targets, and it’s part of what’s preventing them from getting the upper hand.”
“Ukraine’s success is a national security imperative for us, and they have asked for these rounds to deploy in self-defense on their own soil because they see it as critical to their survival,” he said.
“It is our responsibility as a world power and democratic leader to continue to support the brave people of Ukraine as they defend their democracy and freedom,” Manchin said.
“The human suffering caused by Putin’s unprovoked and inexcusable attack on Ukraine’s sovereign territory demands our sustained attention,” 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.”
