Sen. Cramer Statement on Virtual Meeting with Ukrainian President Zelensky

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND), member of the Senate Armed Services Committee and Senate Ukraine Caucus, issued the following statement after a virtual meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky:

“Today we heard a direct appeal from President Zelensky to do more to aid the freedom-loving people of Ukraine in Vladimir Putin’s war. At a minimum, the United States needs to be doing everything it can from a sanctions standpoint to choke off any capital funding Putin’s thuggery and aggression. This is a very real foreign policy, economic, and humanitarian crisis. Let’s stand together not only in unity but prayer as well.”

Background:
In January, Senator Cramer traveled to Ukraine on a bipartisan CODEL and met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and reaffirm the U.S.’ commitment to Ukraine. During the meeting, the senators expressed strong solidarity with Ukraine in the face of increased Russian aggression, including further military buildup on the Ukraine-Russia border as well as the ongoing conflict in Donbas and purported annexation of Crimea.

This week Senator Cramer introduced: 

• The American Energy Independence from Russia Act, bicameral legislation to increase U.S. energy production. Learn more here.
• The Ban Russian Energy Imports Act, legislation to prohibit the importation of Russian crude oil, petroleum, petroleum products, liquefied natural gas (LNG), and coal. Learn more here.
• Legislation to ban the U.S. purchase of Russian oil. Learn more here.
• A joint resolution calling on the Biden Administration to remove Russia from the United Nations Security Council. Learn more here. 

Senator Cramer also sent a letter to President Joe Biden pressing him to change course on his failing energy policy. The letter outlines 12 specific actions the president can announce to unleash domestic energy production in order to lower skyrocketing energy prices and to help America’s European allies be less dependent on Vladimir Putin’s regime for their energy supply, especially in light of the Ukraine crisis. Learn more here.  

Launched in 2015, the bipartisan Senate Ukraine Caucus’ goal is to strengthen the political, military, economic, and cultural relationship between the U.S. and Ukraine.