COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky this week urged President Bident to attend a peace summit due to be held in Switzerland in mid-June.
Switzerland has invited 160 countries to attend the summit to discuss the path to a just and lasting peace in Ukraine. So far, the White House has not confirmed who will represent the U.S.
But, America continues to support Ukraine in its war against Russian aggression. Bridget Brink is the American ambassador to Ukraine. She is also a Kenyon College graduate and was back in Ohio to deliver an address at Kenyon’s reunion weekend.
Brink is a 27-year career diplomat who said Ukraine is a vital American ally in a fight for its very existence.
“I had two grandfathers fight in World War II and I never thought I would see the day where stories that I know about from that period, from more than 70 years ago, are actually happening again, in Europe, over 100,000 documented cases of war crimes and atrocities of things that I could only imagine would be terrible violations of the past are happening right now,” Brink said in an interview with NBC 4’s Colleen Marshall.
Brink and her staff of 350 are awakened nightly by sirens warning of incoming missiles. Ukraine, she said, is the wall between Russia and the rest of Europe, a small country holding off a superpower.
“It’s quite remarkable, but it’s a testament for anyone who knows Ukraine and Ukrainians,” Brink said. “I think all of us assess that the Ukrainians will fight and they will not give up their land, their territory, their families, their communities, that they will fight for their freedom. They have a history of fighting for freedom.”
The freedom fight could not go on without American military aid, but Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance is leading the battle against more American tax dollars going to Ukraine for what he calls an unwinnable war.
“But what we have seen is with strong leadership from the United States, based on our values, and our interests, together with partners and allies around the world, that we have enabled Ukraine to stand and fight and survive, and even prevail,” Brink said. “And the important thing is, is that we show Putin, that we’re not going to waver and that is what is in U.S. interest.”
Ukraine has been called the breadbasket of Europe – one of the world’s leading grain producers. Brink said part of her job is to help keep Ukraine’s economy alive amid a seemingly endless war.
“But since the passage of the supplemental from the United States, and since weapons are now flowing into Ukraine, again, that is created an enormous boost in morale,” she said. “And also I anticipate that as we look forward, we are looking to not just help Ukraine win in the moment; we’re looking to help Ukraine be secure in the future.”
The Pentagon just opened a new munitions factory near Dallas to supply bullets to Ukraine. Brink points out that much of the money set aside to help Ukraine goes to weapons manufacturers in the U.S. Rocket systems and tanks are made here in Ohio.
