Biden marks Ukrainian independence hours after war sparks rift on GOP debate stage
Christian Datoc
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President Joe Biden commemorated the 32nd anniversary of Ukrainian independence on Thursday morning, just hours after Republican presidential challengers debated the merits of continuing security and economic aid to the country.
Most candidates, including former Vice President Mike Pence and ex-Govs. Chris Christie and Nikki Haley, signaled that, if elected president, they would continue supplying aid to Ukraine in its efforts to repel Russia’s invasion, but Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) and businessman Vivek Ramaswamy said they would cut off or qualify aid to Ukraine.
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Ramaswamy in particular attacked candidates on the stage who had taken a “pilgrimage” to Kyiv to visit “their pope,” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
“For 18 months, Ukrainian families have lived under the daily threat of Russian rockets and the reality of brutal attacks. But the people of Ukraine have refused to break,” Biden, who is currently vacationing in Lake Tahoe, Nevada, wrote in a statement on Thursday morning. “On this Independence Day, as they have since Russia first invaded Ukraine in 2014, brave Ukrainian women and men are defending Ukraine from assaults on fundamental principles essential to every nation on the planet — sovereignty and territorial integrity. They are showing the world once more that freedom is worth fighting for.”
“The United States will continue our work, together with partners all around the world, to support Ukraine’s ability to defend itself against Russia’s aggression, to uphold the foundational principles of the UN Charter, and to help the Ukrainian people build the secure, prosperous, and independent future they deserve,” he continued. “Our commitment to Ukraine’s independence is unwavering and enduring.”
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The president additionally highlighted work done by the United States and its allies to hold Russian forces “accountable” for war crimes, specifically the “forcible removal of thousands of Ukrainian children to Russia,” a point Christie also hammered home on the debate stage in response to criticism from Ramaswamy.
“I sincerely hope that next year, Ukrainians will be able to celebrate their Independence Day in peace and safety, knowing how their extraordinary courage inspired the world,” Biden closed his statement. “May Ukraine’s Independence Day be a reminder that the forces of darkness and dominion will never extinguish the flame of liberty that lives in the heart of free people everywhere.”