US Congress Should Provide Urgently Needed Ukraine Funding before Adjourning

Washington—As Congress considers the Ukrainian people’s requests for further assistance to defend themselves against the Kremlin’s ongoing military aggression, Freedom House issued the following policy alert:

We urge US lawmakers to provide urgently needed support for Ukraine before adjourning for the holidays. There is strong bipartisan support for Ukraine in Congress, and members must find a way to keep supplies flowing even as they continue to refine US policy. The growing challenges at the US border, which have been raised in the current debate, are in part a direct consequence of authoritarian practices that have expanded around the globe over the past two decades. The Kremlin’s actions are a stark example. Anything less than victory for Ukraine would all but guarantee further Russian aggression in the region, could discourage or undermine democratization efforts in neighboring countries for fear of escalatory coercive measures by Moscow and additional malign interference, and could encourage other authoritarian rulers to undertake more brazen attacks on democracy and human rights.

As existing funds and supplies for Ukraine are depleted and the Kremlin prepares for a renewed offensive this winter, fresh support is urgently needed and is deeply in line with the United States’ democratic values and national security interests. The Russian regime would like nothing more than to see the United States delay or halt much-needed assistance for Ukraine. Let’s not hand Vladimir Putin that triumph. We urge lawmakers to act now