United States: Freedom House Commends US Congress’s Passage of Additional Aid for Ukraine

WASHINGTON-In response to US lawmakers' passage of supplemental assistance for Ukraine, Freedom House vice president Annie Boyajianissued the following statement:

"Freedom House is pleased to see Congress take bipartisan action to pass additional life-saving assistance to Ukraine and measures to redirect frozen Russian sovereign assets to support the country's reconstruction. This much-needed aid comes at a critical time in the war, and Freedom House is glad to see the United States continue to stand with Ukraine as it rolls back Russian advances and continues to build a robust democratic society.

"We thank those on Capitol Hill and in the Biden administration who worked tirelessly over the last several months to see this bipartisan bill's passage. As the democratic community knows all too well, Moscow's invasion of Ukraine must be soundly defeated lest we risk further authoritarian aggression and instability from Vladimir Putin and other dictators who are watching closely.

"Additionally, the inclusion of measures to redirect frozen Russian assets to help pay for damage inflicted by the Russian military is a key means of holding the Kremlin accountable. We urge European countries to act similarly. In the days and weeks ahead, it will be critically important for the world's democracies to continue to stand with Ukraine in its existential fight against Russian military aggression and be ready to supply additional aid as needed."