Amid Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, a bipartisan contingent of United States senators this past weekend traveled to Poland and Germany to visit U.S. troops and meet with top military and political leaders, non-government organizations (NGOs), Ukrainian refugees, German government officials, and U.S. State Department personnel.
Among the 10 lawmakers on the trip were U.S. Sens. Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Joni Ernst (R-IA), Susan Collins (R-ME), Jerry Moran (R-KS), Steve Daines (R-MT), and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY).
“When Vladimir Putin waged his unjust and immoral war on Ukraine, he expected to easily conquer a nation, divide our NATO alliance, and the world. Instead, as we saw firsthand during our visit to Germany and Poland over the weekend, the opposite happened,” Sen. Capito said in a statement. “In the face of a land war and humanitarian crisis perpetrated by a tyrant, we are as united as ever, and our resolve in supporting the people of Ukraine is steadfast.”
During the first day of their trip, the group engaged with military leaders from the United States Army Europe-Africa (USAREUR-AF) in Wiesbaden, Germany, about the United States’ and NATO alliances’ commitment to freedom over tyranny, according to the lawmakers’ offices.
From there, they met with U.S. officials in Berlin at the U.S. Embassy, where they were briefed on American-German long-term economic and security cooperation goals.
In Berlin, the senators also discussed the nation’s continued security partnership with German State Secretary of the Federal Foreign Office Andreas Michaelis, and attended a dinner meeting with German Parliamentarians.
The next day, the senators received a security briefing from leaders of the 82nd Airborne Division stationed in Poland. The military leaders also led a roundtable discussion with the senators, NATO allied military leaders, and NGOs helping with the humanitarian needs in Ukraine and throughout Europe.
The senators then visited a refugee processing center near the Ukrainian-Polish border where they saw how organizations are working with the Polish military and government to care for Ukrainians who’ve fled their homes, and met with volunteers from the World Central Kitchen, who are helping feed the millions of refugees coming through the processing center.
During the final stop in Poland, the lawmakers held a discussion with members of Ukrainian civil society, which included a group of women who told the senators that Ukraine needs more military and lethal aid, as well as State Department officials originally stationed at Embassy Kyiv.
On the last day, the senators visited a U.S. Army base in Grafenwöhr, Germany, where they were briefed on the military mission and met with constituents from each of the states represented on the trip.
The senators returned to the United States late on Sunday, March 20, their offices said.
On Monday, the lawmakers held a press conference to discuss the trip, key takeaways and next steps in supporting Ukraine.
“This strong, bipartisan delegation traveled together to demonstrate America’s unwavering support for the freedom-loving people of Ukraine and affirm the strength of the world’s most powerful alliance,” Sen. Ernst said. “We departed with the conviction that the United States, Ukraine, and the free world have the will and the means to unite and stand up to Vladimir Putin’s tyranny and that Ukraine can win this fight.”
“While in Eastern Europe, I was humbled to meet with courageous men and women – American service members, aid workers from around the world and Ukrainian mothers who had left their homes and loved ones to bring their children to safety,” said Sen. Moran. “Our slow, bureaucratic march to provide aid is not keeping up with the Russian forces bearing down on Ukrainian cities. We can’t just provide support for the Ukrainians to get by; we ought to make certain the Ukrainian people have the tools to defend their freedom and win.”
Sen. Daines said that meeting with U.S. military leaders, NATO forces and NGOs in Poland and Germany allowed the delegation members to gain greater insight into Russia’s invasion, “including the terrible humanitarian crisis that it’s created and the importance of having a strong military and energy security,” he said.
In Berlin, Sen. Daines said he also visited the Brandenburg Gate where President Ronald Reagan in 1987 delivered an historic speech in which he told Soviet Leader Mikhail Gorbachev to “tear down this wall” toward gaining peace.
“That message rings true today,” Sen. Daines said. “We must continue to stand with the people of Ukraine and help bring about peace through strength.”
Sen. Collins pointed out that the most memorable conversation she had in Poland was with a young mother of two children at a refugee welcome center a few miles from the Ukrainian border.
“She said to me, “I want to live in peace. I want to be back in Ukraine, but I have to keep my children safe,’” said Sen. Collins. “Clearly, the best way to end this humanitarian crisis is to end Putin’s unprovoked, unjustified war on a free, sovereign, and democratic country. Every moment counts, and if we delay, thousands more innocent Ukrainians will die.”
“Whether it was the generosity of the Polish people in taking in and caring for refugees, Germany’s increased military posture, or the work of our own military in support of our NATO allies, there was a clear sense of unity in accomplishing our shared mission on the ground to ensure a free and independent Ukraine,” Sen. Capito said in her statement. “Our visit was also a powerful reminder that as Russian forces continue to target women and children, we must continue providing the weapons and military equipment Ukraine needs not just to fend off Russian troops, but to actually win the war.”