Friends -

We send a number of emails about the campaign, but today I wanted to take a moment to talk about Ukraine, and specifically Russia’s second invasion of Ukraine that began earlier this week.

After the Soviet Union collapsed, Ukraine sought to forge its own path — a path toward democracy.

In recent years, Russia has sought to assert its influence in the country, and time and time again the people of Ukraine have looked west instead, toward Europe and the United States, toward freedom and democracy.

With this new aggression by Russia’s autocratic leader chasing nostalgic memories of the USSR’s past, it’s up to us — the United States and all those who believe in democracy — to support our Ukrainian partners and surrounding NATO allies.

That means swift, serious and crippling sanctions against Russia, its banks, and its leaders.

It means supporting President Biden’s plan to bolster U.S. troops' presence in NATO countries, including the Baltic states.

It means continuing to arm Ukraine with weapons to defend itself.

And it means helping neighboring countries manage the potential flow of refugees across borders.

These measures aren’t about instigating American conflict with Russia. It is Russia that has chosen conflict. It is about preventing that conflict from spilling over into NATO countries while supporting a nation that looked at a neighboring autocratic state on its doorstep and chose democracy instead. Not an easy decision.

I have watched Russia time and again push its agenda to the limits and beyond.

That's why over the last several years, I have successfully asked Congress to increase funding for our allies Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia, who neighbor Ukraine, to help them be ready to protect democracy in this exact situation.

Because bullies like Russia don't change, and they don't feel bad about their actions.

And that's why we stay vigilant, and continue to stand by our friends and allies.

Thank you for reading,

Ruben

Ruben Gallego is running for re-election in Arizona’s 7th Congressional District. Please add your name to say you endorse his campaign. Thank you.

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