03.12.15

Durbin, Senate Ukraine Caucus Meet With European Ambassadors To Discuss Increased Military Aid To Ukraine

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) and the Senate Ukraine Caucus met today with European Union Ambassador to the U.S. David O’Sullivan, as well as ambassadors and officials from the United Kingdom, France, Netherlands, Germany, Lithuania, and Poland to discuss Russian aggression in Ukraine. During the meeting, Durbin raised the importance of halting Russian aggression in Ukraine and bullying elsewhere in the region, including the possible provision of defensive weapons to Ukraine.  A photo from today’s meeting is available HERE.

“Ukraine is at a critical moment in its history. I applaud the Administration for taking the right step by sending increased military aid to Ukraine as they continue to fight for their freedom,” Durbin said. “An effort allied with Europe against the Kremlin’s overreach and aggression is crucial. Today’s meeting was productive in this ongoing dialog and I look forward to more constructive conversations in the future.”

Durbin is co-chairman of the Ukraine Caucus along with Senator Rob Portman (R-OH). Senators Ron Johnson (R-WI), Mark Kirk (R-IL), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Kelly Ayotte (R-NH), and Chris Murphy (D-CT) also attended today’s meeting. Other attendees included United Kingdom’s Ambassador to the U.S. Sir Peter Westmacott, French Ambassador to the U.S. Gerard Araud, Netherlands Ambassador to the U.S. Rudolf Bekink, Lithuanian Ambassador to the U.S. Zygimantas Pavilionis, Polish Ambassador to the U.S. Ryszard Schnepf, and German Embassy of the U.S. Deputy Chief of Mission Philipp Ackermann.