LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky, and Ukraine’s Ambassador to the U.S. paid a visit to the commonwealth.
They spoke with students and distinguished guests at the University of Louisville on Monday.
University of Louisiville students met with the Ukrainian ambassador to the U.S., Oksana Markarova, before she spoke at the event.
One of the students in attendance was UofL senior Yelena Bagdasaryn, who is personally invested in the war.
“My father is Armenian and my mother is Russian-Ukrainian-Polish and we have many friends that are kind of experiencing the detriment of this conflict. Many Ukrainian friends, people that live in Kyiv,” said Bagdasaryn.
Bagdasaryan said she stands with the ambassador’s belief that Ukraine needs the U.S. to continue to send help.
“So we have to stop it while it’s still only in Ukraine where we are ready to fight, we don’t need the boots on the ground. We just need, as Churchill said, ‘Give me the tools and I will finish the job.’ This is what Ukrainians need, all the tools so we can really win it,” said Markarova.
McConnell said it’s in the best interest of democracy to support Ukraine.
“So this is not just a test for Ukraine. It’s a test for the United States and for the free world and a path toward greater security for all of us. Its simple, help Ukraine win the war,” said McConnell.
The ambassador said she sees similarities in the Israel-Hamas war.
“It’s the same axis of evil just two days ago, leaders of Hamas and Iran, not leaders, but representatives, visited Moscow. What is it, if not a sign that we are dealing with the same evil?” said Markarova.
Last week, the Biden administration laid out plans for a $105 billion national security package. It includes military and humanitarian assistance for both conflicts.
The funding request faces an uphill battle in congress, but McConnell said now is the time for the senate to help.
“This is a moment for swift and decisive action, prevent further loss of life and impose real consequences on the tyrants who terrorize the people of Ukraine and of Israel. Right now, the senate has a chance to produce supplemental assistance that will help us do exactly that,” said the minority leader.
$61.4 billion in that aid package would go to Ukraine, $14.4 billion would go to Israel and $10 billion would be set aside for humanitarian assistance including helping refugees in the U.S.
“Every person can make an impact if we continue to support international cooperation, continue to support places like Ukraine, and really emphasize, again, global diplomacy and just making sure that, you know, democracy is there,” said Bagdasaryan.
New House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., told some news outlets last week that he supports Ukraine aid but needs “conditions” on it.
He has indicated the House of Representatives could move forward with funding for Israel, but the package may not include more funding for Ukraine.