By TIM CARPENTER
Kansas Reflector
TOPEKA — U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran of Kansas emphasized in a speech the importance of sustained support for Ukraine in the battle against Russia’s invasion and praised President Donald Trump’s commitment to resume weapon shipments authorized by Congress.
Moran, a Republican, said Trump would rely on authority granted the administration to oppose aggression of Russian President Vladimir Putin, who dramatically escalated conflict in Ukraine during 2022. This week, Trump said Russian forces were violating human rights and Ukraine needed arms such as the Patriot air defense missile.
“This commitment is vital, ensuring that Ukraine has the capabilities it needs to protect its people and its territory against ongoing aggression,” Moran said. “If we allow a dictator to redraw borders by force, then what message does that send to other authoritarian regimes watching closely around the globe, including China? It sends a message of weakness, it invites further aggression and it threatens our allies and partners around the globe.”
In a speech on the floor of the Senate this week, Moran said the cost of inaction by the United States would far outweigh the cost of action.
“If Putin is not stopped in Ukraine, the likelihood of a direct confrontation between Russia and a NATO ally dramatically increases. That would mean a far greater cost, not just in resources, but potentially in American lives,” the Kansas senator said.
On Thursday, Trump said U.S. weapons would be transferred to NATO for delivery to Ukraine. The military alliance would pay the brunt of the cost.
“We need to make certain Ukraine has the equipment necessary to win a just and lasting peace,” Moran said. “We are interested in that peace. We want that peace.”
Moran said one goal should be to strengthen domestic defense production capabilities to “ensure that we have a resilient industrial base with the ability to handle all the possible threats the United States faces now and into the future.”
He said 90% of aid delivered to Ukraine would create jobs and bolster defense manufacturing in the United States.
“By aiding Ukraine, we are replenishing our own stockpiles with new, more advanced equipment and demonstrating American leadership on the global stage,” Moran said.