U.S. Rep. Mike Turner (R-OH) joined a bipartisan contingent of lawmakers in urging the Biden administration to expedite additional resources to Ukraine.
“We ask that you work with us to expedite resources as our friends in Ukraine continue to defend their territory against Russia’s brutal assault and aggression,” wrote Rep. Turner, chairman of the U.S. House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence and head of the U.S. delegation to the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, and the lawmakers in a May 20 letter sent to U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin.
The members emphasized that in order for Ukraine to better defend itself against Russia, the United States should authorize the use of weapons by Ukraine to allow its military to strike strategic targets within Russia, train additional Ukrainian F-16 pilots, and bolster Ukraine’s air defense systems, according to their letter.
“The Ukrainian people continue to demonstrate a strong willingness to resist Russian efforts to take sovereign Ukrainian territory by force,” wrote Rep. Turner and his 12 colleagues, who included U.S. Reps. Darin LaHood (R-IL), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), French Hill (R-AR), and Jim Himes (D-CT).
“Recent reports indicate that aid to Ukraine is not arriving in sufficient quantities and in a timely manner, exacerbating the dire situation on the ground,” they added. “Ukrainian officials have expressed grave concerns, stating that the situation is worse than ever.”
The members added that it’s essential the Biden administration allows Ukraine’s military leaders an ability to conduct a full spectrum of operations necessary to respond to Russia’s unprovoked attack on their sovereign land.