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I hope you saw my latest weekly column.



ROGER WICKER: Defeat Russia To Deter China
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Nearly a year ago, Russia launched its unprovoked, illegal, and brutal war of
aggression against Ukraine. But as the world has witnessed, Vladimir Putin
vastly underestimated the Ukrainian people and their courage and ingenuity.



For Americans, Russia’s invasion revealed that the peace and security American
troops fought for in World War I and World War II is under attack. We now have
a chance to help Ukraine win and to deter future Russian and Chinese aggression
at the same time.



Winning in Ukraine is Vital to American Interests



It is unfortunate that the Biden Administration has failed to make the case
for victory to the American people. The President’s near-constant delays of
much-needed weapons and intelligence to Ukraine have prolonged the war.



A victorious Russia, or even a “frozen conflict” in Ukraine, threatens
American security and trade with Europe. When Vladimir Putin says that he seeks
the “collapse of Western hegemony,” he means the power of the U.S. and of our
allies. In 2022, transatlantic trade generated one-third of global economic
output and supported 16 million American jobs, including more than 20,000 in
Mississippi.



America’s continued support for Ukraine is a sound investment. In 2022, our
aid came to just 0.2% of GDP, a smaller percentage than Canada, the United
Kingdom, and the Baltics. No American troops have been put in harm’s way, and
Russia is now severely weakened. While countries like France and Germany need
to do more, American leadership has inspired our NATO allies to spend tens of
billions of additional dollars on their own defense – a major priority during
President Trump’s administration.



American aid is subject to strict oversight. Twenty reviews of Ukraine
assistance have been completed, with another 64 ongoing or planned. As ranking
member on the Senate Armed Services Committee, I will continue that oversight.



The Chinese Communist Party Is Watching



The People’s Republic of China is watching Ukraine with interest. Its chief
military goal is to take the democratic island nation of Taiwan. Such an
invasion could throw the global economy into a depression and threaten
Americans’ access to the Taiwanese semiconductors that power our electronics,
cars, and prosperity.



The connection between Ukraine and Taiwan is not lost on anyone. Three weeks
before his invasion, Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping announced their “no-limits”
partnership during the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics. As Japanese Prime Minister
Kishida recently noted, “Ukraine today could be Asia tomorrow.”



Far from distracting us from China, defeating Putin in Ukraine would deter Xi
Jinping in the Indo-Pacific. It would enhance American security in the region
and reassure our allies and partners about the seriousness of our leadership.



The Arsenal of Democracy



The United States’ interests in Europe are clear: a swift Ukrainian victory.
That would leave Russia unable to threaten our allies and partners and make
would-be aggressors think twice before attacking their neighbors. Victory will
require strengthening our defense industrial base and arming Ukraine with more,
better, and faster deliveries of advanced weapons, like ATACMS, long-range
missiles, and Grey Eagle and Reaper drones.



The United States was the Arsenal of Democracy during the Second World War. If
we fulfill that role again, we will show Xi and Putin that there are very real
limits to what their partnership can achieve.



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Thank you for your support,

Senator Roger Wicker






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