U.S. Reps. Peter Roskam (R-IL) and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) expressed support for Ukraine, raising concerns about Secretary of State Rex Tillerson’s recent questioning of U.S. taxpayers’ interest in Ukraine during an official visit to Europe.
Fitzpatrick, a co-chair of the bipartisan Congressional Ukraine Caucus, and fellow caucus co-chairs said in a joint statement that they were “deeply concerned” by reports that Tillerson asked, “why should U.S. taxpayers be interested in Ukraine?” while speaking with foreign ministers discussing Russia’s intervention at a Group of Seven meeting in Italy earlier this month.
“It is abundantly clear that the U.S. has a major security interest in a free and democratic Ukraine, one not subject to Russian aggression,” the caucus co-chairs said. “The statement by a State Department spokesman that the secretary’s statement was a ‘rhetorical device’ only adds to the uncertainties about what the basic policies are of the current administration. The secretary’s statement also seems contradictory to his earlier statements in support of sanctions against Russia.”
Russia invaded Crimea, Ukraine, in 2014 and continues to occupy the region today.
“It is imperative that the United States stands shoulder to shoulder with the people of Ukraine, who have demonstrated time and again their shared values for sovereignty, human rights, and the rule of law,” the caucus co-chairs said.
Roskam, meanwhile, wrote in a letter to Tillerson that the United States must do everything possible to stop Russia’s warfare against Ukraine, noting that Russian President Vladimir Putin “seeks to destabilize Europe, undermine democratic governments across the region, and rebuild an expansionist Russian empire.”
“The greatest short term danger to U.S. national security interests is Moscow’s desire to upend the security order established in Europe and Eurasia at the end of the Cold War,” Roskam wrote. “To defend Europe, it is critical for the U.S. to increase its economic and military support to Ukraine in order stop and then defeat Kremlin aggression there.”
Roskam, who has held numerous meetings with Ukrainian officials, serves as chairman of the House Democracy Partnership, a bipartisan commission of the House of Representatives that works to strengthen democratic institutions by assisting legislatures in emerging democracies.
“The world is watching Russia’s attempts to challenge international order and expand its influence across Europe,” Roskam wrote. “The time has come to strengthen our support for Ukraine and make clear the United States will strongly support those around the world who yearn for freedom, democratic governance, and the fundamental right of self-determination.”