CONNECTICUT, USA — Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) is back from his most recent trip abroad to Ukraine, which marked his sixth visit in the last two years.
“This trip was enormously exciting and encouraging,” he said Wednesday. “The tide is turning in the battlefield against Putin and his criminal cronies.”
Ukrainian military forces are bolstering their offensive across the border in Russia’s Kursk region and after more than a week of their incursion, Ukrainian officials said they continue to make gains.
“Ukrainians are capable of achieving our goals in any situation, capable of defending our interests and our independence and we must make full use of our achievements, and we will,” said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
This push into Russia is notable for its size, speed and how long Ukrainian troops have stayed in Russian territory.
“At this very moment, the Ukrainian army is making important progress. It will boost morale. It will show the world that Ukraine is capable of this kind of major offensive operation,” Blumenthal said. “These kinds of operations will strengthen Ukraine's position, not only on the battlefield, but also at the negotiating table.”
Blumenthal was joined on the trip by Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) — he and Graham said they are committed to passing another supplemental funding package for Ukraine before the end of this year.
“Even if it's in the Congress after the election, the so-called lame duck,” added Blumenthal. “We're at a turning point. Now is a critical time that the United States has to pour it all in, not pull back.”
Blumenthal also plans to introduce a Stand By Ukraine Act in September to codify the agreement of support President Biden came to with President Zelenskyy.
“Codifying is important because we want this agreement to last beyond this president, there will be a new president,” Blumenthal explained. “Codifying this bilateral agreement, not a treaty, but an act of Congress, expressing our resolve to stand by Ukraine.”
He said he and Graham will introduce the act together and that the commitment to supporting Ukraine must be bipartisan.
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Emma Wulfhorst is a political reporter for FOX61 News. She can be reached at ewulfhorst@fox61.com. Follow her on Facebook, X and Instagram.
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