Congressman Don Davis Returns from Ukraine, Emphasizing Urgent Need to Safeguard American and Global Security
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressman Don Davis (NC-01) visited Ukraine on the second anniversary of Russia’s unprovoked invasion to assess foreign threats on the ground.
The trip began after more than 24 hours of travel with a visit to Ukraine’s parliament and an exhibition of trophy weapons with historical context.
[Congressman Don Davis attending a Ukrainian Parliamentary session celebrating the resistance to an unprovoked Russian invasion.]
Following the presentation, Congressman Davis toured the Polygon, a training center for Ukrainian soldiers. While there, he observed how the Ukrainian military prepared for its operations on the frontlines of the conflict and discussed Ukraine’s urgent need for ammunition.
[Congressman Don Davis at the range where Ukrainian soldiers receive frontline training.]
Next, Congressman Davis met with U.S. soldiers training and advising Ukrainian fighters on the frontline. As a Member of the U.S. Armed Services Committee and former U.S. Air Force officer, members of the Ukrainian parliament are seeking his assistance with training additional pilots.
[Congressman Don Davis speaking with Ukrainian soldiers; one wounded, and the other lost a son in the war.]
"The Ukrainian people are on the frontlines of the fight for freedom,” said Congressman Don Davis. “Nearly two years after Russia’s unprovoked invasion, Ukraine’s resilience and spirits remain high. However, without immediate support from the United States and allies, Russia will claim victory. Congress must put politics aside and take swift action to safeguard our national security to stop Putin’s aggression.”
[Congressman Don Davis spoke with the U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine, Bridget Brink, about the urgent need for U.S. security assistance.]
From there, Congressman Davis participated in a series of discussion panels with international leaders, including Andriy Yermak, Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, Former United Kingdom Prime Minister Boris Johnson, and Oleksandr Syrskyi, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Aleksander Kwasniewsk, the former President of Poland, helped moderate the conversations. Topics included Russia's use of economic offers, diplomacy, and propaganda to keep countries neutral, the effectiveness of sanctions, the seizing of Russian assets for Ukraine, and improving international institutions like the United Nations (UN) in countering aggression.
Davis met with U.S. Ambassador Bridget Brink and former Supreme Allied Commander of Europe, Gen. Wesley Clark, during his visit to discuss Ukraine’s security needs and the urgency of U.S. security assistance.
After witnessing firsthand the national security challenges to the homeland at the U.S.—Mexico border and a prior visit to Israel, the Congressman's trip to Ukraine is a testament to his ongoing commitment to a supplemental national security package that includes essential funding for border security and our allies, most importantly Israel and Ukraine.
- Co-leading the bipartisan H.R. 7372, the Defending Borders, Defending Democracies Act, legislation to swiftly enact border security improvement measures and provide nearly $50 billion in security assistance to Ukraine, $30 million-plus of which would replenish U.S. domestic defense industrial capacity.
- Voted three times to prevent a government shutdown over the last five months to ensure continued operations at the Department of Defense in the face of multi-faceted threats in the Middle East, the Indo-Pacific, and Eastern Europe.
- Voting three times to pass H.R. 2670, the National Defense Authorization Act of 2024 (Public Law 118-31),annual national security legislation to authorize defense funding and safeguard our national security. As a House Armed Services Committee member, Congressman Davis secured 11 amendments to the Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 NDAA to streamline the procurement of advanced weapons systems and improve the quality of life for servicemembers.
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