Ayotte Calls on President to Sign Ukraine Freedom Support Act

Statement

U.S. Senator Kelly Ayotte (R-NH) today urged the president to sign the Ukraine Freedom Support Act of 2014 (H.R. 5859), which passed the Senate and House overwhelmingly. Senator Ayotte cosponsored the Senate version of the bill, which calls on the U.S. government to provide military assistance to Ukraine to defend itself and authorizes the provision of such assistance. The legislation also authorizes and requires the president to impose additional sanctions on Russia's defense, energy, and financial sectors.

"I am pleased that Congress has finally passed bipartisan legislation that makes clear that the U.S. should provide Ukraine the weapons it needs to defend itself. I cosponsored the Senate version of the Ukraine Freedom Support Act of 2014, and I call on the President to sign this legislation and implement its provisions without delay.

"In August, the President dismissed the idea of providing weapons to Ukraine, but admitted that things would change if Russia invaded Ukraine. General Breedlove, the Commander of U.S. European Command, has made clear that Russian tanks, artillery, air defense systems, and combat troops have entered Ukraine. That is an invasion by any reasonable definition.

"The question now is whether the President will back track again and blur another red line-to the detriment of U.S. credibility and security-or whether he will stand with the people of Ukraine in the face of blatant Russian aggression.

"A continued tepid response to Putin's invasion of Ukraine will only invite additional aggression from the Kremlin, with even more serious consequences for the United States and our allies."

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