Blumenthal Touts Need In Ukraine Following Border Return

By Jeniece Roman, The Bristol Press

March 15, 2022

U.S. State Sen. Richard Blumenthal spoke about the need in Ukraine Tuesday in an update following his return from visiting the Ukrainian border.

U.S. State Sen. Richard Blumenthal spoke during a press conference about his experience visiting the Polish/Ukrainian border this past weekend. Blumenthal joined several other U.S. senators on a trip to meet with Ukrainian refugees and relief organizations. Along with Sens. Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), Rob Portman (R-Ohio), and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Blumnethal flew to Poland Friday night and returned at 12 a.m. on Tuesday morning.

Blumenthal met with members of the 82nd Airborne Division, and U.S. and Polish government officials and received classified briefings in real time of Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine. The senators visited a city on the border of Poland, which is 12 miles from the Yavoriv base in Ukriane where Russia bombed several hours before the senators arrived. At the border receiving sites, Ukraininas shared with the senators the experience fleeing their homes.

“They’re account of the rain of terror brught to their homes and neighborhoods by these Russian bombs, early in the morning of the day we were there,” Blumenthal said. The ground at the border crossing shook, literally, the tremors were felt by the Polish military.”

Blumenthal joined a team from World Central Kitchen, a team started by Chef Jose Andres, to serve food to displaced ukranians. He said the group met with the Polish Defense Commissioner on issues of NATO defense and had briefings with the ambassador Mark Risinki, and 82 airborne.

“I think what will really stick with me forever is the sights and sounds at the border crossing,” Blumenthal said. “The trauma in the voices and faces of those women and children. Almost all of them are women and children because the men are staying to fight.”

Many of the people they spoke with Blumenthal said fled from their homes mere hours before they met at the border. He commended the bravery of the Ukrainian people and called the situation a “humanitarian crisis of incalculable magnitude.” Women and children are seeking shelter and food, while many have left their homes with just clothes on their backs, rolling bags or backpacks. Many left their life’s possessions at their homes to be potentially destroyed. Bluementhal said the Ukrainian refugees are in desperate need of essentials like food, water and clothing.

Blumenthal said the donations and generosity from Connecticut residents have made a profound difference in the lives of Ukrianians. He said he witnessed piles of clothing, blankets and materials from the U.S. that have made it to the Ukrainian refugees. He said the Ukrainian-American and Polish-American communities in the United States have stepped up to support. Bluementhal said he saw how grateful they were when taking blankets, shirts, and other essentials provided.

“The food that is provided through donations made by the ukrainian american community but also by our polish community that's raising money in Connecticut. I went to a benefit in New Britain not long ago, all of the efforts and contributions are making an enormous difference,” Blumenthal said.

Blumenthal said he has seen how trucks have lined up, bringing supplies from the United States, Europe and other countries. He said the humanitarian aid provided has been a worldwide relief effort, but the Ukrainian people still require more. Blumenthal said the u.s. Need to continue tightening economic sanctions on Russian banks and cutting off access to institutions. He said Ukrianians need the proper tools and weapons in order to fight fairly against Russian invasion.

“Whatever tools Ukrianans need to stay in the fight, we should provide. Not United States troops on the ground, not our involvement in combat but the tools that Ukraine needs to defend itself,” Blumenthal said. “With the urgency that meets the dire threat and it is an immediate and dire threat that they face throughout their country.”