Tuesday, June 3, 2025
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY) issued the following statement today after meeting with senior Ukrainian officials, including Head of the Office of the President, Andriy Yermak, and First Deputy Prime Minister, Yuliia Svyrydenko:
“I was glad to welcome Mr. Yermak, Ms. Svyrydenko, and their delegation to Washington at a critical moment in their work to end Russia’s unprovoked war. I share both their urgent desire for peace and their understanding that the price of peace matters.
“Ukraine’s willingness to negotiate an immediate ceasefire is as clear as Russia’s utter disinterest in peace. As long as Putin’s aggression continues, Ukraine has every right to defend itself by targeting his war machine with every tool at their disposal.
“The United States can and should continue to lead Western efforts to impose further sanctions on the Kremlin and its sponsors. But sanctions are not a substitute for equipping Ukraine materially to negotiate from a position of strength. Sustaining Western military assistance to Ukraine will be an essential part of any lasting peace.
“Hopes of meaningfully changing Russia’s calculus and reaching such a peace will remain unrealized so long as Putin believes he can outlast Ukraine’s will to fight or the West’s resolve to stand by our friends. Ukraine, for its part, continues to innovate and adapt to the tragic realities of modern warfare with astounding success.
“In conflict between a neo-Soviet imperialist and a sovereign, Western-aligned partner, the United States gains nothing from pretending to be a neutral arbiter. It is unquestionably in our interest to stand with Ukraine as they resist aggression.”
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