“As we did in the Welles Declaration in 1940, the United States reaffirms as policy its refusal to recognize the Kremlin’s claims of sovereignty over territory seized by force in contravention of international law. In concert with allies, partners and the international community, the United States rejects Russia’s attempted annexation of Crimea and pledges to maintain this policy until Ukraine’s territorial integrity is restored.” With these words, U.S. Secretary of State Michael Pompeo declared on July 25, 2018, that, much like the forced incorporation of the Baltic states into the Soviet Union in 1944, the illegal annexation of Crimea into the Russian Federation would never be recognized by the United States.
Days following Russia’s violent open-water attack on Ukrainian vessels in the Kerch Strait on Thanksgiving weekend 2018, and its illegal detention of 24 Ukrainian sailors, the U.S. Senate passed a unanimous resolution calling for the immediate release of the sailors. Sponsored by-then chairman and ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee’s European Subcommittee, respectively, Sens. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) and Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), the resolution attained the full support of Senate Ukraine Caucus Co-Chairs Rob Portman (R-Ohio) and Richard Durbin (D-Ill.), as well as other friends of Ukraine in the U.S. Congress.
These examples illustrate the magnitude of support for Ukraine in Washington. Unlike previous times in Ukraine’s history when the country suffered a lull, or “fatigue,” in its relationship with the United States, the recurring and permanent threat of aggressive actions by the Russian Federation against Ukraine, and against the West, has resulted in a special U.S. resolve to assist its allies and friends. The unfortunate aspect of Ukraine being a frontline state makes it an obvious beneficiary of continued support, as denoted in a plethora of legislation proposed in the U.S. Congress.
The growing bipartisan concern in Congress relates to three pivotal facets of Russia’s inherent use of aggressive means and tactics – cybersecurity, disinformation and economic blackmail, most notably via the Nord Stream 2 pipeline. As recently as mid-May 2018, Sens. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) introduced S. 1441, a bill “to impose sanctions with respect to the provision of certain vessels for the construction of Russian energy export pipelines.” Such actions represent the outcry against Russia’s manipulation of the energy sector in Europe and specifically its objective to politically and economically bypass Ukraine.
One can easily describe Ukraine as being a “proving ground” for Russia’s nefarious activity that eventually would extend beyond its borders, especially in the realm of disinformation. Driven by the Ukrainian community’s concern for Ukraine’s survival after the Revolution of Dignity, friends of Ukraine in the U.S. Congress took up the mantle and proposed the Global Engagement Center, a coordinating body ensconced in the U.S. Department of State whose mission is to “direct, lead, synchronize, integrate and coordinate efforts of the federal government to recognize, understand, expose and counter foreign state and foreign non-state propaganda and disinformation efforts aimed at undermining or influencing the policies, security or stability of the United States and its allies and partner nations.” The effort was led by Sens. Portman and Murphy. The center is expressly tasked with countering malign disinformation from Russia in countries on its borders.
Support for Ukraine is driven largely by the Ukrainian community and its interaction with elected officials. The southeast Pennsylvania community has especially endeavored to bring its concerns to members of Congress. Its exemplary outreach propelled Reps. Brendan Boyle (D-Pa.) and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.), member and co-chair, respectively, of the Congressional Ukrainian Caucus, to co-sponsor the Ukraine Cybersecurity Cooperation Act. The bill seeks to “…assist Ukraine’s efforts to enhance its cybersecurity capabilities; and improve Ukraine’s ability to respond to Russian-supported disinformation and propaganda efforts in cyberspace, including through social media.” Rep. Boyle was awarded the Friend of UNIS award in October 2017 for his support of the bill, and Rep. Fitzpatrick is to receive the prestigious community award at the June Ukrainian Day advocacy event in Washington.
A similar bill was introduced in the Senate in 2018 by Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) and Pat Toomey (R-Pa.), both members of the Senate Ukraine Caucus. Both efforts were folded in the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019.
One must also be cognizant of the administration’s constant work on behalf of Ukraine through its special representative for Ukraine negotiations, Ambassador Kurt Volker, who is charged with pursuing a peaceful settlement to Russia’s invasion of eastern Ukraine. His constant travel to Ukraine and interaction with Ukrainian, European and Russian government officials demonstrates the active political realm which is Ukraine – a foremost strategic partner of the United States. The ambassador was a member of the official delegation from the United States to President Volodymyr Zelensky’s inauguration in Kyiv on May 20, and met with the president shortly thereafter.
There is no “Ukraine fatigue” in Washington. What might be considered “fatigue” is an overwhelming desire to assist Ukraine with the resources available. It is incumbent upon the Ukrainian community to continue its advocacy of these and other Ukraine-related issues so that fatigue does not sink in. So, contact your elected officials and encourage others to become involved.
For further information about the Ukrainian Day advocacy event in Washington, readers may contact the Ukrainian National Information Service at [email protected].