KYIV, UKRAINE—U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), a member of the U.S. Senator Foreign Relations Committee, joined his colleagues U.S. Senators Rob Portman (R-Ohio), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) on Monday to brief the media following their meeting with Ukrainian President Zelensky. The senators are currently in Ukraine to reaffirm the U.S.’ commitment to Ukraine, which continues to face an increasingly belligerent Russia.  

On the purpose of their trip to Ukraine, Murphy said: “We are here to send a bipartisan, unconditional message that the United States, Europe and Ukraine will make sure that Russia is dealt a set of consequential blows to their economy and to their security forces if they were to choose to mount a conventional invasion of Ukraine.”

“Russia's actions in Eastern Ukraine and Crimea and the actions that they are planning today represent the most serious assault on the post-World War II order in our lifetime,” Murphy said.

Murphy laid out why the U.S. is committed to supporting the people of Ukraine: “First, Ukrainian Americans are our neighbors. They are our friends. We live amongst millions of Americans who have family and friends here in Ukraine fighting for their freedom.”

“Second, our democracy is stronger when Ukrainian democracy is strong. Our freedom in the United States is compromised when Ukraine's freedom is at risk. We are connected,” Murphy continued.

A full transcript of Murphy’s remarks can be found below.

MURPHY: “I'm Chris Murphy. I represent the state of Connecticut in the United States Senate.

“People ask us, 'Why do our constituents, our voters care so much about supporting the Ukrainian people?'

“First, Ukrainian Americans are our neighbors. They are our friends. We live amongst millions of Americans who have family and friends here in Ukraine fighting for their freedom.

“Second, our democracy is stronger when Ukrainian democracy is strong. Our freedom in the United States is compromised when Ukraine's freedom is at risk. We are connected.

“Russia's actions in Eastern Ukraine and Crimea and the actions that they are planning today represent the most serious assault on the post-World War II order in our lifetime.

“We are here to send a bipartisan, unconditional message that the United States, Europe and Ukraine will make sure that Russia is dealt a set of consequential blows to their economy and to their security forces if they were to choose to mount a conventional invasion of Ukraine.

“And there's no division on that question in the United States Senate.”

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