Wilson Statement on the One-Year Anniversary of Putin’s Invasion of Ukraine
Washington, D.C. – Congressman Joe Wilson (SC-02) issued the following statement on the one-year anniversary of Putin's full-scale invasion of Ukraine:
"A year ago, the world watched in horror as the war criminal Putin's forces launched an unprovoked, full-scale invasion of sovereign Ukraine. Many said Ukraine would be overtaken in days.
"Under the leadership of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and the heroic actions of ordinary Ukrainians, their sovereign democracy remains. It remains, however, at great cost.
"Tens of thousands of men, women, and children have been murdered, injured, and left homeless, while massive amounts of infrastructure have been destroyed - all for Putin's pursuit of oil, power, and money. The Ukrainian people are under assault for simply existing.
"The world has witnessed the genocidal atrocities committed by Putin's invaders: mass graves filled with the lifeless bodies of children, children kidnapped in a diabolical plan to destroy Ukrainian identity, civilian targets bearing the words "children" bombed mercilessly… the list goes on.
"Despite these constant, horrific occurrences, Ukrainians persevere. They represent the best of what democracy has to offer in the fight against authoritarianism.
"The American people have supported Ukraine, providing humanitarian, financial, and military assistance. Additionally, more than 50 countries, including the 27-nation European Union, have provided aid. Congress is tasked with good stewardship of the money of American taxpayers; 39 provisions govern the oversight and accountability of every U.S. dollar sent to Ukraine, ensuring the U.S. is funding victory and nothing else.
"Stopping Putin remains an absolute necessity for the national security of American families. Together, we can ensure the rule of law democracy will triumph over the rule of gun authoritarians.
"The international community has committed to preserving sovereign Ukrainian democracy. This has been demonstrated time and time again; from the European Union's $53 billion in aid, the EU's first military assistance mission, the progress made bringing Sweden and Finland into NATO, and many nations providing the Ukrainians with critically needed weapons.
"The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe's Winter Meeting this week in Vienna was incredibly united, virtually unanimously, standing with the people of Ukraine, as was this week's remarkable UN vote of 141-7 condemning Putin's invasion.
"The world is unified in their support. Ukraine will be victorious. We will never forget the sacrifices made in this noble effort."