Curtis Reflects on Ukraine Visit, Calls for Continued Pressure on Russia

During floor colloquy with Senators Tillis and Armstrong, Curtis highlights lessons from the battlefield, human cost of war, and implications for American national security WASHINGTON —U.S. Senator John Curtis (R-UT), member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, joined Senators Thom Tillis (R-NC) and Alan Armstrong (R-OK) for a colloquy on the Senate floor to reflect on their recent congressional delegation to Ukraine. The full transcript of the colloquy can be found here , and video can be viewed here . Senator Curtis reflected on what he saw during the delegation’s visit to Kyiv and Kharkiv, where the senators traveled within miles of the front lines and observed Ukrainian drone operations firsthand. Curtis said the visit underscored how the war has evolved and highlighted the value of Ukraine’s battlefield experience and technological innovation to the United States. Curtis also emphasized the human toll of Russia’s invasion, recounting his visit to Hansen Village, a humanitarian project founded by Utah philanthropist Dell Loy Hansen that provides housing and support to displaced Ukrainians. Following the trip, Curtis called for continued support, including the full use of the Curtis-backed Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia Act . The bill, recently signed into law, makes available to the president sanctions authorities against Russia and those sustaining its war machine. He also called for continued work with NATO allies to ensure Ukraine has the defensive capabilities it needs. He emphasized that these steps are also critical to sending a broader message to Moscow and Beijing that invading neighboring countries will not go unaddressed and will carry severe consequences. Background: Earlier this month, Curtis joined Senators Tillis and Armstrong on a congressional delegation to Ukraine, traveling to Kyiv and Kharkiv and meeting with U.S. and Ukrainian officials, military personnel, and other stakeholders. The delegation was the first congressional delegation to visit Kharkiv since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022. While there, the senators examined Ukraine’s battlefield innovations, including unmanned and counter-unmanned systems. Russia’s continued war in Ukraine has highlighted the many broader implications for U.S. national security and global stability. In his role on the Foreign Relations Committee, Senator Curtis has remained vocal, warning that Vladimir Putin’s ambitions extend beyond Ukraine and that a strong, unified NATO posture is necessary to deter further aggression in Europe. Curtis has also supported continued pressure on Russia’s war machine, including the above-mentioned legislation targeting the countries and entities helping finance Russia through purchases of Russian oil and gas. The Senate recently approved the sanctions package by an 86–11 vote. In a recently published Fox News opinion piece, Curtis called for the United States to use the authorities to confront China’s role in sustaining Russia’s war against Ukraine.