Democrat Senator Mark Kelly of Arizona visited Ukraine this weekend, attempting to undermine President Donald Trump’s efforts to finish the devastating battle launched by Russia in 2022 throughout Joe Biden’s presidency. Kelly’s journey comes simply days earlier than Secretary of State Marco Rubio is about to fulfill with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and different Ukrainian officers on Tuesday in Saudi Arabia.
Amazingly, in an announcement on his go to to Ukraine, Kelly warned Trump that abandoning Ukraine would encourage China to invade Taiwan, utterly ignoring that it was Joe Biden’s abandonment of Afghanistan in 2021 that inspired Russian President Vladimir Putin to invade Ukraine the next 12 months. Kelly implied Trump was being a ‘bully like Putin’ in his remedy of Zelenskyy.
Kelly known as Trump’s reducing off giving Ukraine U.S. intelligence final week after he decided Zelenskyy was not prepared for peace, “sickening.”
Trump hinted the sharing of intelligence could resume quickly in feedback to reporters on Air Drive One as he returned to Washington, D.C. from spending the weekend at his house in Palm Seaside, Florida.
New: Trump tells reporters on Air Drive One which the pause on Ukraine intel sharing is “nearly lifted”
Particulars unclear. Says expects large issues from Saudi talks this week pic.twitter.com/cPWvUg2FST
— Gram Slattery (@G_Slattery) March 9, 2025
Trump additionally indicated he’s optimistic concerning the talks:
‼️ President Donald Trump simply mentioned on Air Drive One one thing MAJOR may occur this week concerning his peace talks with Russia.
“We’re gonna have an excellent lead to Saudi Arabia [talks] … I believe Ukraine’s going to do nicely, Russia’s going to do nicely. Some very large issues… pic.twitter.com/tup9on33Wd
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) March 10, 2025
Kelly was one of many Senators who met with Zelenskyy the morning of his February 28 Oval Workplace assembly with President Trump and Vice President J. D. Vance, apparently getting Zelenskyy all fired as much as make safety calls for of Trump that weren’t a part of the agreed upon financial and minerals deal between the U.S. and Ukraine that simply wanted to be signed. The acrimonious assembly ended with the deal going unsigned and Trump kicking Zelenskyy out of the White Home.
After I met with President Zelenskyy this morning, I made certain to remind him that the American folks stand in opposition to Russia and with Ukraine. pic.twitter.com/l2DNPgGQap
— Senator Mark Kelly (@SenMarkKelly) February 28, 2025
Kelly went on CBS’ Face the Nation two days later to trash Trump as a ‘bully’ and defend Zelenskyy:
“It was a dumpster hearth of diplomacy.”
Sen. Mark Kelly (D-AZ) says Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was “cornered” and “bullied” in his Oval Workplace confrontation with President Trump, and that the assembly “makes us look weak.”
“The one winner in that trade is Putin.” pic.twitter.com/xG4tHTUHmO
— Face The Nation (@FaceTheNation) March 2, 2025
Kelly is the first U.S. lawmaker to go to Ukraine for the reason that Oval Workplace blow-out between Zelenskyy, Trump and Vance.
Kelly’s employees issued a press launch Sunday evening on the go to, noting that Kelly additionally stopped in Poland and dined with U.S. troops there. Kelly is a retired Navy Captain who flew fight missions within the Gulf Conflict and later piloted Area Shuttle missions for NASA.
Kelly Visits Ukraine because the Nation Retains Combating Towards Putin’s Unlawful Invasion
Kelly visited a navy hospital and met with Purple Cross employeesHe was briefed by Ukrainian navy leaders and U.S. embassy officers
That is Kelly’s third go to to Ukraine; his most up-to-date journey was in September 2023
Right this moment, Arizona Senator Mark Kelly returned from a go to to Ukraine because the nation continues to defend itself in opposition to Putin’s unlawful invasion. Kelly was briefed by U.S. embassy officers and Ukrainian navy leaders, visited protection trade websites, heard from wounded service members, and met with the Worldwide Purple Cross Committee. Kelly, a Navy fight pilot, additionally hung out with pilots who’ve flown fight missions defending from air assaults. That is Kelly’s third go to to Ukraine since 2023. He additionally traveled by means of Poland, the place he met with U.S. navy officers and repair members.
“I visited Ukraine to indicate my assist for the Ukrainian folks. As all the time, I’m blown away by their resolve as they battle for his or her nation within the face of Putin’s unlawful invasion,” mentioned Kelly. “I plan to deliver what I’ve realized from Ukrainian leaders, service members, and the Ukrainian folks again to Washington to share the direct affect our assist has on the bottom.”
Kelly continued, “One factor is obvious: Nobody desires this battle to finish greater than President Zelenskyy and the Ukrainian folks. But it surely has to finish in a means that protects their sovereignty and safety. The security of Ukraine is tied to the security of the US, that’s why I stand with Ukraine.”
In his conferences with Deputy Minister of Protection Ivan Havryliuk and a Ukrainian safety chief, Kelly requested concerning the affect on the bottom of the U.S. pausing navy help and emphasised that he’s working with colleagues to reinstate assist.
As hospitals proceed to be a goal in Russia’s battle plan, Kelly visited a navy hospital the place he heard straight from wounded service members, docs, and hospital employees. He met two nurses who’ve labored there since earlier than the invasion started and shared with him tales of the battle, together with the violence confronted by ladies and kids by Russian troopers.
Right here, Kelly additionally spoke with injured service members, a few of whom talked about returning to the battle after they recuperate. One soldier Kelly talked to, Anton, misplaced his left arm and leg, proper hand, and his imaginative and prescient to a drone assault.
Kelly concluded his time in Kiev visiting the Wall of Remembrance of the Fallen for Ukraine the place he laid flowers. Later, he spoke with aviation engineering college students who volunteer their time to assist innovate for Ukraine’s protection.
Kelly’s assertion and pictures from the go to had been posted to Fb and on X.
This battle began with what Putin thought could be a three-day operation to take Kyiv and management of all of Ukraine. Now three years later, that hasn’t occurred. American and allied assist has been a giant cause why, however I noticed how reducing it off now dangers every thing so many…
— Senator Mark Kelly (@SenMarkKelly) March 9, 2025
Simply left Ukraine. What I noticed proved to me we are able to’t quit on the Ukrainian folks. Everybody desires this battle to finish, however any settlement has to guard Ukraine’s safety and might’t be a giveaway to Putin. Let me let you know about my journey and why it’s essential we stand with Ukraine.
This battle began with what Putin thought could be a three-day operation to take Kyiv and management of all of Ukraine. Now three years later, that hasn’t occurred. American and allied assist has been a giant cause why, however I noticed how reducing it off now dangers every thing so many Ukrainians have laid down their lives for. And whereas our assist hasn’t been free, we haven’t despatched even half of what President Trump says.
Hospitals ought to by no means be targets in battle, however Putin is a battle legal who targets hospitals routinely. I visited one in Kyiv. Injured troopers instructed me how they need to get again to the battle. Nurses there shared their tales of the invasion with me by means of tears. Tales of violence that ladies and kids of Ukraine suffered throughout the invasion. These nurses instructed me how they witnessed Russian troopers raping kids in entrance of their dad and mom after which murdering these kids in entrance of their dad and mom. Horrendous battle crimes which might by no means be forgiven. Donald Trump says he trusts Putin and is attempting to make him appear to be a pal and an excellent man. I sit up for seeing Putin rot in jail.
The pause of navy help has solely made it tougher for Ukraine of their battle in opposition to Russia. They’re operating low on sure weapons which have made it many of the technique to Ukraine. Stopping the switch of those weapons solely helps the Russians. The Russians will change into extra assured and attempt to drive a tougher cut price in ceasefire talks. This isn’t rocket science. We must be negotiating from a place of energy.
Donald Trump is attempting to weaken Ukraine’s hand and we’re owed an evidence. If Putin good points floor he received’t conform to a ceasefire and can ultimately threaten a NATO ally and this places American troops and the American folks in danger.
I met with Ukrainian pilots, one who I had met in Arizona when he was studying to fly the F-16. They’re flying difficult fight missions in opposition to the Russians who’re protected by a substantial digital warfare and floor to air missile system protection. They’ve realized loads and they’re getting higher and having extra success. When Trump reduce off these pilots from US intelligence that they should plan their missions, he blinded them to the risk and put them and their plane in danger. However worse than that, it helps the Russians advance additional into Ukrainian territory and homicide extra Ukrainians. President Trump says the Russians are “hitting them arduous” in a tone of voice that means approval. It’s sickening to see from an American President. “Hitting them arduous” means extra lifeless Ukrainian youngsters.
Ukraine didn’t begin this battle, and they didn’t ask for the fixed missile and drone assaults which have terrorized the inhabitants. Authorities officers who can’t acknowledge factual info ought to reevaluate their profession decisions.
I noticed the innovation and combating spirit of the Ukrainians up shut. It was embodied of their navy members, on a regular basis folks and by these college students who’re aviation engineers utilizing their spare time to assist Ukrainians innovate of their navy. They now have a protection industrial base that we should always envy and that we are able to be taught from. They’ve an innovation cycle measured in days whereas ours is years. We must be studying from it, not slowing it down.
Lastly I visited the Wall of Remembrance to pay tribute to Ukraine’s lifeless troopers. I’m bringing again what I noticed and realized from Ukrainian leaders, servicemembers and the Ukrainian folks to indicate the direct affect our assist is having on the bottom. The security and safety of Ukraine is tied to the security and safety of the US. Let me clarify why.
If we abandon our ally Ukraine, we can be considered by different nations together with our different allies as untrustworthy and sooner or later we shouldn’t anticipate their assist. As important as that’s, what’s a much bigger deal is the response we’d see from China. The Chinese language watch every thing they usually need to take Taiwan. In the event that they view our partnerships and our loyalty to our allies as weak they’re extra prone to attempt to take Taiwan by power. If that occurs, this President or any future President must make probably the most consequential choices within the historical past of our nation. My aim is to keep away from that call. We keep away from that by strengthening our alliances, not weakening them.
Lastly, if we stand with Ukraine they are going to be there for us. This nation has a combating spirit and a depth of expertise and kickassness unmatched wherever on this planet as we speak. These are the folks you need in your nook. My aim within the Senate is and can proceed to be to maintain us out of wars. I believe that’s true for many fight veterans like me. We need to keep out of the battle. However when issues go sideways and we discover ourselves on the battlefield in a overseas land or God forbid, at house, the primary name I’d need to make is to our Ukrainian mates. I do know they’d be there for us if we’re there for them.
The world will change into a really chilly and lonely place if we proceed this ridiculous “screw you, go it alone” overseas coverage. It’s dumb and it received’t age nicely and places you and your youngsters and your grandkids in danger. America is the strongest, richest nation on this planet. We didn’t get there by being bullies like Putin, we obtained there by main from the entrance and bringing our allies. That’s why I’ll proceed to share with everybody who will pay attention why we should hold supporting Ukraine.
