Ukrainian President Volodmyr Zelenskyy with U.S. Senator Roger Wicker (image from Wicker video shared on X)
- Mississippi U.S. Senator Roger Wicker is returning from Ukraine where he met with Ukrainian President Volodmyr Zelenskyy, Ukrainian officials, and employees of Ukrainian manufacturing companies.
Mississippi’s senior U.S. Senator led a delegation from Congress to Kyiv last week where they met with Ukrainian officials and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Senator Roger Wicker (R), chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, was joined by North Dakota Senator Kevin Cramer (R) and Texas Congressmen Marc Veasay (D) and Dan Crenshaw (R) on the trip.
According to Interfax-Ukraine, Wicker said at a press conference on Friday that the delegation appreciated the opportunity to visit Ukraine and hoped to gain important insights and a better understanding of the situation.
The Ukrainian news agency also reported that the U.S. delegation met with employees of Ukrainian manufacturing companies where he praised workers for their tireless work for their country.
Details shared by President Zelenskyy’s office said the Ukraine Head of State thanked the U.S. senators and representatives for their unwavering bipartisan support for Ukraine and its people. Zelenskyy described the visit as an important signal that support will continue, which he said was especially needed during Russia’s nonstop strikes on Ukrainian cities.
“This is an important signal during nights as tough as these, but not only, because we have massive attacks happening day and night – 24/7. We are grateful for your support, and, of course, we count on unanimity. We need your unanimity,” Zelenskyy said.
Senator Wicker was quoted by the president’s office as saying, “We share your sadness, and we share your outrage over these attacks. And we came because we want this visit to be seen as a sign of strong support – support from both Democrats and Republicans.”
The Ukrainian news agency pointed out that Wicker Putin said Putin “was the aggressor in the war and described him as a war criminal in many respects.”
Zelenskyy’s office noted that a separate focus of the discussion was the steps needed to expedite the licensing process for the production of Patriot missiles. Ukraine is ready not only to produce ballistic missile interceptors for its own needs, the Ukrainian government said, but also to strengthen the U.S. and its allies through joint production.
On Wednesday, Senator Wicker shared a brief video on X showing him meeting with Zelenskyy. He wrote, “After years of war and atrocities unleashed by [Russian President Vladimir] Putin, the Ukrainian people remain dedicated to the defense of their homeland.”
“Their cause is one that impacts every free nation, and their ability to innovate rapidly on the battlefield is inspiring. We will carry these insights back to Washington as we continue working toward an enduring, just peace,” Wicker added.
Joe Scarborough, host of MS NOW’s “Morning Joe,” shared Wicker’s X post, saying, “Thank you, Roger. Your support in the fight for Western democracy in Ukraine is critically important during this time when too many have lost their way and the White House is aiding and abetting a former KGB agent.”
