A delegation of about 50 U.S. lawmakers attended the opening of the three-day Munich security conference to reaffirm bipartisan support for U.S. aid to Ukraine. Four groups (Democratic and Republican leaders, members of the Senate and House of Representatives) joined hundreds of politicians, military personnel and diplomats from around the world at the conference.
The US delegation is one of the largest since the conference was established in 1963, US officials said. The Russian invasion of Ukraine strengthened the alliance between NATO and the European Union and brought together members of the American Congress.
“We are here to send a clear message from this conference and to everyone around the world: the United States is bipartisan and fully supports efforts to help Ukraine,” the Senate Minority Leader told Reuters. , Mitch McConnell, after meeting German conservative politicians.
A bipartisan group of lawmakers is putting direct pressure on President Joe Biden to send F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine. Five members of the House of Representatives said in a letter sent Thursday to Biden, the text of which was obtained by Politico, that the advanced fighter jets that Kiev is requesting, which the administration has not yet agreed to send, “could prove decisive”. for control of Ukrainian airspace this year.
“The delivery of such aircraft is essential to help Ukraine protect its airspace, especially in light of the renewed Russian offensive and the expected escalation of full-scale hostilities,” the lawmakers wrote.
The letter was written by Democrat Jared Golden. It was also signed by Democrats Jason Crow, Chrissy Holahan and Republicans Tony Gonzales and Mike Gallagher.
