Congressman Cohen Discusses Ukraine Aid at Helsinki Commission Hearing

WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen, the House Ranking Member of the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe, also known as the Helsinki Commission, discussed Ukraine’s defense needs and military priorities.

Congressman Cohen noted that the military aid package for Ukraine had finally passed but that it should have happened far sooner so weapons could get to the eastern front and so defensive missiles could be replaced. He also asked about the effectiveness of sanctions.

As the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe Parliamentary Assembly’s Special Representative on Political Prisoners, he also raised the issue of the imprisonment of the dissident journalist Vladimir Kara-Murza, jailed in part because of his criticism of Putin and his invasion of Ukraine.

“We need to get him free,” he said.

See his remarks here.

Witnesses at today’s hearing were:

• Nataliya Bugayova, Non-Resident Fellow, Institute for the Study of War;
• Ambassador John Herbst (ret.), Senior Director, Atlantic Council; and
• Michael Ryan, Former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense

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