WATCH: Sen. Kelly Joins CNN to Discuss His Second Trip to Ukraine this Year in Interview with Jake Tapper

This week, Arizona Senator and U.S. Navy veteran Mark Kelly joined CNN’s ‘The Lead with Jake Tapper’ to discuss the details of his recent visit to Ukraine, which was his second trip to the region this year. Kelly, a leading voice for Ukraine in the Senate, praised the courage of the Ukrainian people and advocated for continued U.S. support for Ukraine’s defense against Russia’s illegal invasion. 

Click here to watch the full interview. Read key excerpts below: 

On his second trip to Ukraine:  

I just got in from Ukraine last night at about 10:00 p.m. and this is my second trip and it really reinforced in me the fighting spirit of the Ukrainian people under horrific circumstances. Vladimir Putin is committing war crimes daily against women and children. This is really a fight of good versus evil, and the American people have always stood on the side of good. We’ve got to fund Ukraine. 

On the impact of Sen. Tuberville’s military promotion blockade in Ukraine:  

What Senator Tuberville is doing is unconscionable. I talked to 10th Mountain Division soldiers about this. This is having an effect in Poland with the U.S. military and anything that affects the U.S. military in Poland supporting the fight in Ukraine, it affects that fight as well. So, this is having an impact in the war of Ukraine against Russia. It’s really up to Tommy Tuberville to release this hold. It’s doing significant damage to our military.