Rob Portman: “I come to the floor today to talk again about the illegal, totally unjustified, unprovoked, and brutal attack on Ukraine…”

“I come to the floor today to talk again about the illegal, totally unjustified, unprovoked, and brutal attack on Ukraine by Russian forces. This is the 11th week in a row I have come to the Chamber to talk about this because I think it is really important that the American people know what is going on over there and that we rally to the defense of our allies in Ukraine. This week is the 77th anniversary of what is called V-E Day. That is the day the war in Europe ended--World War II--when the United States finally led the allies to defeat the tyranny of Nazi Germany and liberated millions of people. Then, in the Cold War, we led the world again to defeat the encroachment of Soviet communism on Eastern Europe. Again, millions of people were liberated, including Ukrainians. We cannot forget this because, as we look at Ukraine, what do we see? The same thing--people who yearn to be free. That is all they want is to live in freedom in their own sovereign, independent country. Once again, the United States and our allies in Europe are standing with these Europeans in fighting to hold onto their freedom in the face of this illegal, unprovoked, and brutal attack. When Vladimir Putin spoke at ceremonies in Russia this week to commemorate the same V-E Day, he used it to justify Russia's invasion, saying: The danger was growing day by day, [so] Russia [gave] a preemptive response to an aggression. Of course, nothing could be further from the truth.…”