WATCH: Sen. Kelly Illustrates Effectiveness of U.S. Aid to Ukraine, Urges Continued Bipartisan Support in Speech on Senate Floor

Today, Arizona Senator and Navy combat veteran Mark Kelly delivered a speech on the Senate floor illustrating the effectiveness of U.S. military aid to Ukraine up to this point in the conflict, and urging his colleagues in the Senate and House to continue working together to pass additional support against Russia’s illegal invasion. Kelly, who recently visited Ukraine for the second time this year, highlighted why Putin’s defeat matters to U.S. national security and the consequences of withholding support at a pivotal point in Ukraine’s counteroffensive.    

“As Ukraine continues their counteroffensive and our most recent aid package is drawn down, we must work quickly to get Ukraine more of the weapons and support they need to beat Putin. Because make no mistake, that’s what this is about: whether Vladimir Putin comes out the other side of this emboldened or defeated,” said Kelly during his remarks.  

“Now is not the time to let up. It’s time to push forward. A majority of Republicans and Democrats in both the House and the Senate agree – we know that. So, while partisan dysfunction got in the way over the weekend, we have to work together to extend the support that Ukraine needs. For the sake of Ukraine’s freedom and our own national security, we must get this done – and quickly,” Kelly continued.  

Click here to download Sen. Kelly’s remarks. See below for a complete transcript

Mr. President:  

Over the weekend, Congress narrowly avoided a government shutdown.  

It’s ridiculous that it got this close. And while we avoided this disaster for now, I’m disappointed that partisan dysfunction prevented Congress from extending U.S. support for Ukraine at such a critical time.  

As Ukraine continues their counteroffensive and our most recent aid package is drawn down, we must work quickly to get Ukraine more of the weapons and support they need to beat Putin.  

Because make no mistake, Mr. President, that’s what this is about: whether Vladimir Putin comes out the other side of this emboldened or defeated.   

Our military leaders have made clear that China and Russia’s aggression are the top threats that we face.   

While President Xi of China watches, Putin has authorized cyberattacks against the United States and proven himself a war criminal willing to invade his democratic neighbors and intentionally – intentionally – murder women and children and abduct Ukrainian youth from their parents in an effort to recreate the Soviet Empire.  

So, whether Putin is successful in Ukraine has serious implications for U.S. national security.   

Up to this point, this invasion has been a massive strategic failure for him.  

He underestimated the courage, and the fight of the Ukrainian people to defend their homeland, which I’ve seen firsthand in Kyiv.    

He also underestimated the will of the United States and our allies to quickly and effectively support Ukraine.  

Over the course of the now 20-month war, we have sent Ukraine the equivalent of a small fraction of our yearly defense budget.   

This has included guns, artillery, ammunition, tanks, missile systems, and more.  

It has also included training on how to use and maintain these systems.  

As it should be, this support has been carefully evaluated and targeted based on what Ukraine needs most on the battlefield.   

It’s not a blank check, and it’s tracked closely. I’ve seen this myself during my two visits to Poland and Ukraine.   

It’s also had the impact of allowing us to modernize our own stockpiles.  

And think about what this support means for our own national security. Russia’s massive army is now a shadow of its former self.  

They have lost thousands of armored vehicles, tanks, and artillery pieces. They have lost hundreds of aircraft. They are experiencing the limits of their own power. And they have resorted to forced conscription of their own citizens to fill their ranks.  

Mr. President, China is watching this, and they’re witnessing the staying power, and the strength of the coalition that we lead.  

And Ukraine is on the move, making steady progress in a counteroffensive to take back their country.  

Russia is losing.   

Now is not the time to let up.   

It’s time to push forward.  

A majority of Republicans and Democrats in both the House and Senate agree – we know that.  

So, while partisan dysfunction got in the way over the weekend, Mr. President, we have to work together to extend the support that Ukraine needs.  

For the sake of Ukraine’s freedom and our own national security, we must get this done – and quickly.  

Thank you.