Pingree Statement on Zelensky Address, US Sending $800M in Additional Military Aid to Ukraine

Statement

Today, Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) released the following statement after Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky's address to Congress and President Joe Biden's announcement that the United States will send Ukraine an , including anti-tank missiles and more defensive weapons:

"Congress heard from a true hero today. In the face of Russia's ongoing, relentless war against his people, President Zelensky's leadership and commitment to Ukraine has been unwavering. The heart-wrenching footage he showed Congress today makes it clear: Putin has waged inhumane terror on the people of Ukraine and has committed war crimes against children. My message for President Zelensky is this: The United States hears you. We stand with you. And we will continue to support you. President Biden quickly answered President Zelensky's urgent plea, announcing the U.S. will provide nearly $1 billion in additional support to help Ukraine fend off Russia's assault. With this new pledge, the $13.6 billion in humanitarian and military aid to Ukraine Congress secured last week, and the severe sanctions imposed on Russia to hold Putin and his circle of oligarchs accountable, the United States has demonstrated our firm commitment to the people of Ukraine. However, it's also clear more assistance will continue to be needed, and I'm committed to working with my colleagues to make that happen."

The new $800 million assistance package includes:

800 Stinger anti-aircraft systems;
2,000 Javelin, 1,000 light anti-armor weapons, and 6,000 AT-4 anti-armor systems;
100 Tactical Unmanned Aerial Systems;
100 grenade launchers, 5,000 rifles, 1,000 pistols, 400 machine guns, and 400 shotguns;
Over 20 million rounds of small arms ammunition and grenade launcher and mortar rounds;
25,000 sets of body armor; and
25,000 helmets.
The Biden Administration has now committed $2 billion in security assistance to Ukraine since taking office. Over the past two weeks alone, the United States has delivered more than $250 million of security assistance to Ukraine.

Last week, Pingree voted with the House to pass the Fiscal Year 2022 Appropriations package, which included $13.6 billion in humanitarian and security aid to Ukraine. This included $300 million for the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative and $300 million for allies and partners in the region, as well as $6.8 billion in humanitarian, economic, and security assistance for Ukrainians.

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