WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND), member of the Senate Armed Services Committee and Senate Ukraine Caucus, joined Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) in introducing a Senate resolution urging the Biden Administration to facilitate the transfer of aircraft, such as MiG-29s, and air defense systems to Ukraine.
“I fully support the immediate transfer of MiG-29s and other air defense systems to Ukraine. President Zelensky has asked for these aircraft multiple times,” said Senator Cramer. “We should have green-lighted them from the beginning. It is our responsibility as leaders of the free world to give the independent people of Ukraine all the tools they need to protect themselves against Putin’s thuggery and aggression.”
“I'm urging the Senate to speak with one voice, to meet the moment,” said Senator Graham. “We've been talking. We have written letters. Now it’s time to take votes. If we had a vote on the resolution to supply the Ukrainian military with the MiG fighters and other air defense systems, it would be a shot in the arm to Ukrainian people and their military. It would be a blow to Putin. If we do this soon, I think it really could help the outcome of this conflict.”
The resolution:
- Encourages the President of the United States to support the transfer of aircraft, such as MiG-29s, and air defense systems to Ukraine.
- Supports continued efforts by members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and other countries around the globe to identify additional aviation and air defense capabilities to transfer to the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
- Expresses that the Senate stands with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and the Ukrainian people in their struggle against Russian aggression.
In addition to Senators Cramer and Graham, the resolution is cosponsored by Senators Joni Ernst (R-IA), Mike Crapo (R-ID), Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Rick Scott (R-FL), Roger Wicker (R-MS), Mitt Romney (R-UT), Thom Tillis (R-NC), and James Lankford (R-OK).
Click here to read the resolution.
