The Ukrainian Congress Committee of America (UCCA) and the Polish American Congress (PAC) have urged the U.S. Congress to pass a bill providing additional funding to Ukraine, a measure that was supposed to be voted on in December 2023.
The Vice President of the World Congress of Ukrainians (WCU) and President of UCCA, Andriy Futey, posted the relevant appeal on his Facebook page.
"Our communities call on the Biden administration and both parties in Congress to take active and concrete steps to deter the Kremlin from further genocidal actions against Ukraine and hybrid warfare against other countries in the Central and Eastern European region. Russia's annexation of Ukraine not only violates human rights and the world order guided by the United States but also directly threatens the national security interests of the United States," the statement reads.
The statement emphasizes that the war has reached a turning point, and Russia is receiving support from some of the most corrupt and authoritative countries in the world. As a result, Ukraine's ability to self-defend is being exhausted, evidenced by massive rocket attacks carried out at the beginning of the New Year 2024. This deliberate strategy aims to deplete Ukraine's defensive weapon reserves, disregarding the lives of the civilian population during the harsh winter months. The inability to promptly secure additional funding will leave Ukraine less capable of self-defense, directly impacting American interests.
"The provision of a $61.4 billion national security package for Ukraine goes beyond the territorial borders of Ukraine. Poland understands the risks posed by Russia, as it is territorially closer to the aggressor. Poland is a key ally in resisting Russian aggression and allocates 3.9% of its GDP to defense expenditures—twice the NATO goal of 2%," the document states.
The Polish-American community acknowledges the seriousness of Russian aggression. Threats to Poland's sovereignty, including Putin's remarks about Poland as a "gift from Stalin," underscore the need for unity. The Polish and Ukrainian communities share an understanding of the necessity to counter Russia and support U.S. efforts in aiding Ukraine.
"As a leader of the Free World, in collaboration with our partners from Poland, Ukraine, and other European countries, the United States cannot leave its allies alone at this critical stage. We must collectively support Ukraine and defend the values of democracy and sovereignty in Europe," the statement concludes.
CAP and UCCA continue to advocate for deepening relations between the United States and countries in Central and Eastern Europe.
