Maine’s U.S. Senators are expressing strong support for Ukraine while ceasefire talks continue in the country’s war with Russia.
Republican Susan Collins spoke on the Senate floor Tuesday, warning against abandoning Ukraine in favor of Russia as negotiations continue.
“Mr. President, history is filled with examples of well-intentioned leaders who sought to avoid war, but who actually made war more likely by refusing to recognize the evil with which they were confronted,” said Collins. “Neville Chamberlain declared “peace in our time” trying to appease Germany before World War II. We should not make the same mistake today by appeasing Russia. We cannot avert our eyes. We cannot leave an ally to fend for itself.
Independent Senator Angus King released a statement Tuesday, saying he would be speaking on the floor about the “importance of supporting Ukraine and defeating Putin’s ambitions to rebuild the Soviet Union.”
King did not specify a time or date for his address, noting the Senate floor schedule is subject to change
Collins expressed support for U.S. actions Tuesday after Ukraine signed a ceasefire agreement.
“The decision this afternoon to restart U.S. military aid and intelligence-sharing are welcome steps to strengthening Ukraine’s position in negotiations,” Collins said. “With the tentative ceasefire signed by Ukraine and now up for Russia’s concurrence, resumed aid and intelligence-sharing with our ally Ukraine allows that country to be in a much stronger position moving forward.”
The Trump administration’s Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, plans to visit Moscow to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin after Ukraine agreed to a 30 day ceasefire Tuesday, with Washington pledging to immediately lift a freeze on intelligence sharing and military aid to Ukraine.
