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A bipartisan congressional delegation is heading to Poland Friday to get as close to the Russia-Ukraine war as safely possible and to see firsthand what is needed to help the Ukrainian people.
The delegation is made up of Democrats and Republicans on the House Foreign Affairs Committee in a united front to condemn the brutal war launched by Russia and to stand up in support of the Ukrainian people
The trip is especially meaningful for Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, R-Pa., who lived in Ukraine when he was an FBI agent. He worked with Ukrainian law enforcement and government on anti-corruption, cyber security and counterintelligence efforts to counter Russia.
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“This is personal to me. These are my friends over there,” Fitzpatrick told Fox News Digital in an interview.
Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, R-Pa., talks about his planned trip to the Ukraine border on March 4, 2022 with Fox News Digital.
(Fox News Digital)
“The Ukrainians are showing the world why they should have been in the EU (European Union) a long time ago (and) why they should have been in NATO a long time ago,” Fitzpatrick said.
“The world is seeing the courage of Ukraine and Ukrainian people right now.”
The lawmakers want to ensure the military equipment the U.S. and allies have provided is effectively making it into Ukrainian hands and to assess the humanitarian needs – such as food, water and energy resources. There’s a rush of Ukrainian refugees heading to Poland to escape the war launched by Russian President Vladimir Putin, and they will need assistance.
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The lawmakers will also be investigating potential war crimes that have been committed by Putin, Fitzpatrick said.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has attempted to silence non-state media. (Yuri Kochetkov/Pool Photo via AP)
(Yuri Kochetkov/Pool Photo via AP)
“This is beyond war. This is terrorism,” Fitzpatrick said, noting the Russian attack on the largest nuclear plant in Europe. “Vladimir Putin is a war criminal. Everybody’s always known that.”
The delegation is planning to stay in the region through Monday and Fitzpatrick hopes he may be able to cross into Ukraine.
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“I will go as far into that territory as they will allow me to go,” Fitzpatrick said of the military escorts coordinating the trip.
“I’d go to Kyiv if they let me,” he said.
The trip is also expected to include Republican Reps. Michael McCaul of Texas and Ann Wagner of Missouri and Democratic Reps. Gregory Meeks of New York, David Cicilline of Rhode Island and Gerry Connolly of Virginia.
McCaul said in an exclusive statement to Fox News Digital that he wants to get a firsthand look at the “humanitarian catastrophe” caused by Putin’s unprovoked and deadly invasion in Ukraine.
UNITED STATES – JUNE 16: Chairman Gregory Meeks, D-N.Y., left, and ranking member Rep. Michael McCaul, R-Texas, prepare for the House Foreign Affairs Committee hearing titled The Biden Administration’s Priorities for Engagement with the United Nations, in Rayburn Building on Wednesday, June 16, 2021. Linda Thomas-Greenfield, U.N. ambassador, testified. (Photo By Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)
((Photo By Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images))
“I want to let the Ukrainian refugees know the American people stand with them against Putin’s evil,” McCaul said. “I will continue to urge this administration to send more lethal assistance to the brave Ukrainian people fighting for their freedom.”
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McCaul and other Republicans have been frustrated with what they believe is too slow of a U.S. response, on everything from sanctions to cutting off Russian oil imports.
“The free world needs America to lead,” Fitzpatrick said. “We can’t be in a situation where Canada is the first to block Russian oil imports, and then we follow suit. We can’t have a situation where the UK and the EU are the first ones to sanction Vladimir Putin personally, and then we follow suit.
“We’re supposed to be the leader here.”
