House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and a delegation of U.S. lawmakers revealed that they traveled to Ukraine’s capital to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in a bid to express solidarity with the country.
“Our delegation traveled to Kyiv to send an unmistakable and resounding message to the entire world: America stands firmly with Ukraine,” the group of lawmakers said in a statement. “When we return to the United States, we will do so further informed, deeply inspired, and ready to do what is needed to help the Ukrainian people as they defend democracy for their nation and for the world.”
Other than Pelosi, several top Democrat House members also traveled to Kyiv, including Foreign Affairs Committee Chair Gregory Meeks (D-N.Y.), Intelligence Committee Chair Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), and Rules Committee Chair Jim McGovern (D-Mass.). A video posted by Zelenskyy’s Twitter account apparently showed the delegation walking on the streets of Kyiv before they were greeted by the Ukrainian leader.
Pelosi is now the highest-ranking U.S. elected official to visit the beleaguered Eastern European nation since the start of its conflict with Russia. Pentagon chief Lloyd Austin and Secretary of State Antony Blinken both traveled to Ukraine to meet with top officials last weekend, while earlier this month, Sen. Steve Daines (R-Mont.) and Ukraine-born Rep. Victoria Spartz (R-Ind.) went to the outskirts of Kyiv, which has seen heavy fighting.
“We are visiting you to say thank you for your fight for freedom,” Pelosi said in a meeting with Ukrainian officials, according to a video that was posted on Zelenskyy’s Telegram page on Sunday. “Your fight is a fight for everyone, and so our commitment is to be there for you until the fight is done.”
As seen in the footage uploaded online, Pelosi said that Congress would work with the White House to pass a $33 billion aid package for Ukraine. President Joe Biden last week called on Congress to pass the measure, while similarly announcing another $800 million in security assistance for the country.
