Thank you for contacting me about the war in Ukraine.

In 2022, Vladamir Putin, Russia’s dictatorial leader, led a large-scale invasion of Ukraine. This is a fact, even if no one in the Trump administration is willing to say it. Three years later, Russia has killed almost 13,000 civilians, reduced Ukrainian cities to rubble, and displaced upwards of 14 million Ukrainians. Russia’s unilateral act of aggression attacking a sovereign nation is not only a significant breach of international law and customs, but also an infringement on the dignity of a peaceful world.

When the invasion began, we rallied the international community against Russia’s brutal war—including leading the largest coordinated sanctions and export control actions taken against a major economy. Our efforts to aid Ukraine helped stabilize energy markets and food supplies, averting further economic fallout across the world. However, the current administration is actively distancing us from Ukraine and cozying up to Russia’s totalitarian regime. When Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited the White House to discuss U.S. support for Ukraine, President Trump and Vice President Vance met him with hostility and arrogance. It was a despicable display of disrespect to one of our nation’s allies.

This meeting came after the administration joined Russia in a vote against a United Nations General Assembly resolution condemning Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, shifting away from years of U.S. foreign policy and precedent. It marked the first time the United States voted with Russia and against European allies at the UN. I was ashamed. We are actively watching the American president, the leader of the free world, abandon our democratic ally while negotiating with a dictator.

Earlier this February, top U.S. officials met with Russian officials to discuss a plan for peace in Ukraine – without including Ukraine in the discussion. For three years, the Ukrainian people have fought for freedom, democracy, and sovereignty ,the very values core to our nation’s founding. Yet, instead of offering them a seat at the table, the Trump administration is attempting to rewrite Ukraine’s future without their input.

I stand firm in my unwavering support for Ukraine’s independence and democracy around the world. The path to a durable peace relies on truth, which the current administration is attempting to ignore. We must continue to honestly speak up and speak out against Russia’s brutal invasion so that amid a slew of disinformation, the world does not lose sight of the reality of the Ukrainian people. In the United States, we pride ourselves on being a proponent of justice; justice means standing up for all subjugated people, not abandoning our principles for the sake of Donald Trump’s personal interests.

I hope the administration will return to the democratic values our country was founded on and resume our allyship with Ukraine. Generations of Americans, including my grandfathers, fought valiantly for our role as the beacon of the free world – we must live up to it now. I will continue to stand with Ukraine.

Thank you again for contacting my office to share your thoughts. Please continue to call or email me with any other thoughts or suggestions you may have. I’m honored to serve as your voice in Congress, and I’m hard at work bringing our commonwealth’s values to Washington.

Sincerely,

Rep. Morgan McGarvey