November 07, 2023

Duckworth Discusses U.S.-Ukraine Energy Cooperation with Ukraine Energy Minister

 

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL)—member of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committees—met with Ukraine's Minister of Energy German Galushchenko as well as other Ukraine energy leaders to discuss expanding cooperation between our nations’ nuclear energy industries, bolster energy security and secure greater international investments that will create more jobs here at home, particularly in Illinois which is already a national leader in nuclear technology. Duckworth also underscored her support for continued American aid to Ukraine, reiterating that supporting our Ukrainian partners does not only help them but is also vitally important for America’s own national security and preventing Putin from continuing his march west. Photos from this meeting are available using the link here.

“Illinois is a national leader in nuclear technology, and I’m glad I was able to speak with Ukraine’s Minister of Energy to discuss expanding cooperation and bolstering energy security among our two nations,” said Duckworth who visited Romania, which borders Ukraine, to discuss nuclear energy cooperation with regional energy security and business leaders. “As we continue to work to secure additional, uninterrupted aid for Ukraine so they can defeat Putin, we should also do everything we can to help them prepare for the future—and shoring up our nuclear energy industries is a great place to start. With expanded collaboration, we can not only secure greater international investments but also create more jobs here at home, and that’s good for everyone.”

Duckworth has been a strong supporter of Ukraine in its fight against Russia’s invasion. Last week, Duckworth also spoke with U.S. Special Representative Penny Pritzker about her role and vision to help advance Ukraine’s economic recovery. Earlier this month, Duckworth visited Romania on an official visit and reaffirmed our nation’s commitment to Romania and all members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) as Putin continues waging his war of choice against Ukraine. Duckworth supported the Biden Administration’s decision to provide additional weapons and capabilities to Ukraine, including cluster munitions.

Duckworth also urged the Biden Administration to accelerate the sale of M1A2 SEPv3 tanks to Poland. The letter asked the Biden Administration to engage with additional NATO allies to determine if the Russian Federation’s brutal act of war requires the U.S to develop and execute any additional sales to strengthen the military capabilities of other NATO members. She called on the Biden Administration to grant Temporary Protected Status to Ukrainians in the U.S. following the Russian military invasion.

Late last year, Duckworth also met with Ukrainian Soldier Oleksandr Chaika who received care at Medical Center Orthotics and Prosthetics (MCOP) in Silver Spring, Maryland, after he was deployed to the Luhansk region as part of the Ukrainian military in the face of Putin’s war of choice against Ukraine and lost his leg to an explosive. Oleksandr has now received a prosthetic leg as part of MCOP’s Operation Renew to serve Ukrainian military personnel.

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