Garcia ‘impressed’ with Poland’s commitment to Ukraine during war

Poland is going above and beyond in its support of war-torn Ukraine, according to U.S. Rep. Mike Garcia (R-CA), who last weekend joined a bipartisan group of lawmakers on a trip to Poland to meet with members of the U.S. Armed Forces and allied partners in the region.

“I was impressed with the commitment that our Polish partners have made to the Ukrainians, delivering significant military equipment and taking in more than two million refugees in their citizens’ homes,” Rep. Garcia said in an April 12 statement. “Poland is an example to the world on how to fight and support those seeking sanctuary in the face of evil. The leadership in Poland is a stark contrast to the thug Putin.”

Rep. Garcia also said he had a chance to see first-hand the situation at the Ukraine-Poland border and spoke with people working to get aid and weapons to the Ukrainians.

“As the fighting in Ukraine subsides around Kyiv and intensifies in the east in the Donbas region, we are faced with challenges in getting humanitarian aid to Ukraine citizens who are now under siege by brutal Russian soldiers,” said the congressman. “The UN aid workers are unable to get supplies in as the Russians have enveloped the cities and are now engaging in devastating siege tactics… Around the globe our allies and adversaries are watching very closely. And Chairman Xi in China is taking notes. Democracy and liberty must prevail.”

While in Warsaw, Rep. Garcia also met with the Prime Minister and Defense Minister of Poland, as well as the U.S. Ambassador to Poland, according to his staff, who said the congressman also visited with Ukrainian officials and refugees.

“After meeting with the Prime Minister and Defense Minister of Poland, we had the opportunity to also meet with American soldiers holding the line in eastern Poland,” said Rep. Garcia.   

Joining Rep. Garcia on the trip were U.S. Reps. Kevin McCarthy (R-CA), Steve Scalise (R-LA), Michael McCaul (R-TX), Mike Turner (R-OH), Ken Calvert (R-CA), French Hill (R-AR), Kathleen Rice (D-NY), Stephanie Murphy (D-FL), and Michelle Fischbach (R-MN).