On Monday, Senator Joe Manchin tweeted a statement regarding his recent trip to Kiev with fellow senator Lisa Murkowski. The post reads as follows: “The war in Ukraine is a fight for democracy, and that’s something that every American should be proud to support – regardless of your party or your politics. Thank you @lisamurkowski for joining me in Kyiv to show our nation’s support for the Ukrainian people.”
Senator Manchin’s statement comes at a time when tensions between Ukraine and Russia are high. Since 2014, Russia has annexed Crimea from Ukraine and provided military support to separatist rebels in eastern Ukraine, leading to an ongoing conflict that has resulted in over 13,000 deaths.
The United States has been involved in the conflict since its beginning, providing diplomatic and economic assistance to Ukraine while also imposing sanctions on Russia. In September of this year, President Biden announced an additional $60 million in security aid for Ukraine.
Senator Manchin’s tweet highlights the bipartisan nature of U.S. support for Ukraine despite political differences between parties. His mention of democracy as a reason to support the country also speaks to broader values held by Americans.
Lisa Murkowski also tweeted about their visit, writing “As we met with government officials & civil society leaders during our visit we underscored America’s unwavering commitment & continued support for #Ukraine’s sovereignty & territorial integrity.”
While some may view Senator Manchin’s statement as unnecessary or even provocative towards Russia, it is important to note that supporting democratic values is a cornerstone of U.S. foreign policy.
In addition, it is worth noting that Senator Manchin represents West Virginia – a state with significant ties to coal mining – which makes his endorsement of supporting democratic values abroad all the more striking given former President Trump’s stance on energy independence and extraction industries.
It remains unclear what specific actions Senators Manchin and Murkowski plan on taking following their visit but their statements serve as a reminder of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and the United States’ commitment to supporting democratic values worldwide.