Kateryna Odarchenko asked the House of Representatives in Washington to approve critical aid to Ukraine

Soon after members of Congress left Washington to celebrate the holidays, Ukrainian civilians suffered the worst Russian bombardments since the beginning of Putin’s February 2022 escalation of his war against Ukraine. In the span of just five days during which the world celebrated the New Year, Russia fired more than five hundred missiles and drones throughout all regions of Ukraine. Almost 90 percent were intercepted thanks to air defenses provided by the United States and partners. Those missiles not stopped destroyed a maternity hospital, schools, and apartments, killing 45 people and injuring more than 300.

Since August 2023, Congress has delayed or blocked Ukraine aid. Without new funding, the final substantial package of military aid to Ukraine was delivered in December 2023.

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This profound political failure by the U.S. to aid a vital ally is having a significant impact on Ukraine’s ability to defend itself, therefore, by extension, defend Europe and America. Ukrainian troops are forced to ration their ammunition on the frontlines. Russia’s barrages of missile strikes purposefully deplete Western-provided air defense systems. Understanding that there is little hope for resupply without swift Congressional action, Russia frenetically stepped up its efforts, hoping to inflict maximum damage on our ally that we are leaving defenseless. Without ammunition for air defense, more civilians will be killed in hospitals and apartments that are purposefully being targeted, and valuable American systems will be destroyed — devastating and preventable losses.

Failure to provide Ukraine with immediate support will be a catastrophic blow to Ukrainian and American security. Putin’s intentions are clear: destabilize the United States, Europe, and global politics, so that a weakened Russia can rise from among the havoc.

Allowing Putin this victory would have catastrophic consequences for generations, and the responsibility would lie with each member of this Congress.

We understand the difficulty of the current negotiations, but there is too much at stake to leave Ukraine in the cold. After all, when it comes to changes to America’s immigration and border policy, there will be opportunities to improve upon whatever provisions are agreed to. But letting Russia prevail in Ukraine would be an irreversible loss.

If Congress fails now, future generations will blame both parties for abandoning Ukraine. We are fighting against the clock as Putin consolidates his forces to follow through on his initial plan - conquer Ukraine, kill Ukraine’s democratically elected leaders, eradicate Ukraine’s culture, subjugate its people, and move on to do the same to our NATO allies.

Tens of millions of American voters are either direct immigrants or descendants of those who fled Moscow’s murderous regimes in the past century. Please listen to the pleas of those who understand the stakes if Ukraine is not aided. Aid to Ukraine is both a national security and moral imperative.