VIDEO: Sen. Moran Reaffirms U.S. Support for Ukraine on Fourth Anniversary of Russia’s Unprovoked Invasion

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) today spoke on the Senate floor to mark the fourth anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine and emphasize the importance of continued support for Ukraine from the United States and its allies as Russia's ongoing aggression reaches its fifth year.

"Vladimir Putin believed his so-called military operation would be over in two weeks, but as the fifth year of the war begins, Russian forces have fought Ukraine longer than they fought the Germans in World War II," said Sen. Moran. "Because of the bravery and innovation of the Ukrainians, aided by American and European support, Vladimir Putin's objective to conquer and control the Ukrainian government remains unobtainable. His war is a strategic failure."

"Ukrainians are coming out of the most difficult winter yet, with temperatures at the most frigid of the war, and the Russian bombing campaigns aimed at energy infrastructure have taken a toll. Instead of being convinced to sue for peace on Putin's terms, Ukrainians remain unwavering in their commitment to remain an independent and sovereign nation," continued Sen. Moran. "We must commit to share in their resolve. I say that again: we must commit to share in their resolve and support the Ukrainian people in their fight for freedom."

Sen. Moran today joined Sens. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) and Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) in introducing a bipartisan Senate resolution to mark the four-year anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Full text of the resolution can be found here.

Click HERE to Watch Sen. Moran's Full Remarks

Sen. Moran's full remarks as delivered:

"Mr. President, today marks the fourth anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Vladimir Putin believed his so-called military operation would be over in two weeks, but as the fifth year of the war begins, Russian forces have fought Ukraine longer than they fought the Germans in World War II.

"Because of the bravery and innovation of the Ukrainians, aided by American and European support, Vladimir Putin's objective to conquer and control the Ukrainian government remains unobtainable. His war is a strategic failure.

"While the Russian military is making incremental gains in the east part of Ukraine, it is at exorbitant expense. Since the invasion began in February 2022, four years ago, Russian forces have seized only 12 percent of Ukrainian territory. Because of the way they fight - and how Ukrainians defend - Russian forces simply cannot achieve breakthroughs after the breach of Ukrainian positions.

"Today, nearly 20 percent of the Donbas remains out of Putin's grasp, and Russian forces, already struggling to take territory, face the 'Fortress Belt' of the region's remaining cities.

"Putin has abused his country's manpower advantage by employing a strategy of attrition with devastating consequences. Russian forces have suffered 1.2 million casualties in four years, and one-third of those are estimated to have come in the last year alone.

"A recent report from the Center for Strategic and International Studies observes, 'No major power has suffered anywhere near these numbers of casualties or fatalities in any war since World War II.'

"As these casualties mount, the monetary cost to lure new recruits is increasing. Russian regions are increasing their signing bonuses for contract soldiers, indicating that Russian recruitment is beginning to struggle to meet its goals. From the war's beginning, when Putin was resorting to mobilizing convicts, now, average Russians do not want to fight in this war.

"Russia's economy has been degraded as the war has been prolonged. The move to impose sanctions on Russia's energy companies last year, which should have happened earlier in the war, has made it more difficult to export oil, the foundation of the Kremlin's budget.

"Moscow has had to offer buyers steep discounts of 25-30 percent below market value, increasing their budget deficit to 2.5 percent of GDP.

"Sustaining Putin's war depends upon China's continued support. Beijing purchases nearly half of Russia's crude exports and provides critical dual-use technologies for Russian materiel.

"Putin is overseeing a war effort that is succeeding in feet rather than miles, and it is coming at considerable cost to the future of his country. This is no time to permit him to claim a victory, either on the battlefield or at the negotiating table. We must share the resolve of the Ukrainian people and make certain that Putin's invasion remains the blunder it was when it started four years ago.

"While both Washington and Brussels have engaged in public debate, Putin should not mistake that debate for disengagement.

"The United States continues to provide substantial military and intelligence support, and our allies have increased their contributions. There must be no doubt in Moscow about our enduring commitment to Ukraine.

"The U.S. expanded intelligence sharing last October to assist Ukraine in targeting energy infrastructure deep inside Russia, and the United States lifted range limitations on certain weapons. Likewise, our European allies have stepped up to assume some of the financial support for the war, most recently agreeing to a $105 billion loan for Ukraine.

"There is much more I believe both sides of the Atlantic can do to assist Ukraine. I called for providing Tomahawk missiles last summer, and the European Union should use Russian foreign reserves to help pay for Ukraine's war efforts.

"Congress should enact sanctions to discourage the purchase of Russian oil. Last March, before the Senate Intelligence Committee, CIA Director John Ratcliffe told me, 'I want to say that, with regard to the Ukrainian resistance, the Ukrainian people and the Ukrainian military have been underestimated for a period of several years….I'm convinced they will fight with their bare hands if they have to.'

"Ukrainians are coming out of the most difficult winter yet, with temperatures at the most frigid of the war and the Russian bombing campaigns aimed at energy infrastructure have taken a toll. Instead of being convinced to sue for peace on Putin's terms, Ukrainians remain unwavering in their commitment to remain an independent and sovereign nation. We must commit to share in their resolve. I say that again: we must commit to share in their resolve and support the Ukrainian people in their fight for freedom."

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