Rep. Turner goes to Ukraine, meets Zelensky in surprise visit

An English language message on the service’s web site says: “I welcome members of the House of Representatives of the U.S. Congress Mike Turner, James Himes and Eric Swalwell in Kyiv.

“Your visit at this time is a bold step that demonstrates strong bicameral and bipartisan support for Ukraine. It confirms that the United States is our strategic partner.”

The message adds: “We discussed the situation on the frontline, Ukraine’s preparation for winter and the need to rebuild the energy infrastructure that was destroyed, the strengthening of sanctions against the aggressor country, and the priority needs of the armed forces. It is important for Ukraine to receive air defense systems in the necessary quantity to create an ‘air shield.’ ”

Turner said his goal was to get an update on the war and its direction. He serves on the House Committee on Armed Services’ Strategic Forces and Tactical Air and Land Forces subcommittees as well as on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence.

Turner is the ranking Republican on Intelligence, and observers see him as the likely chair of that committee if Republicans win a new House majority next month.

“President Zelensky was incredibly thankful of the aid and the assistance, both intelligence and military, that the United States is providing,” Turner said in an interview Friday afternoon. “But the success they are seeing in pushing Russia back and defeating this invasion is absolutely a result of their commitment and will to fight.”

“The understanding, as President Zelensky said, is that they are on the front lines of democracy,” he added.

The visit came days after Rep. Kevin McCarthy, the top House Republican, told Punchbowl News that if Republicans win a majority in next month’s midterm elections, members would be unwilling to “write a blank check” to Ukraine. Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksii later said he expects continued U.S. support no matter what the outcome of the election is.

“I actually had this conversation with President Zelensky,” Turner said Friday. “He understands that the goal is not diminishing at all our commitment to Ukraine. It’s ensuring that we’re not wasting dollars.”

He added, “We need to make sure we get them exactly what they need in the most cost-efficient way, so we can defeat (the Russians).”

David Esrati, the Dayton Democrat running against Turner for the 10th District congressional seat in the Nov. 8 general election, said: “I find it fascinating that Mike Turner can go and meet with the president of Ukraine but can’t meet with his constituents. He has refused to have a town hall for 20 years. I hold one daily on You Tube.”

“No matter what his party says, Mike Turner will always vote in the best interest of his defense contractor backers,” Esrati added.

Ukraine is pressing a broad effort to recapture territory in the east of the country, authorities there said Friday. Since early February, the county has defended itself against a Russian invasion.

Himes, D-Conn., serves on the National Security, International Development and Monetary Policy Subcommittee of the House Financial Services Committee. Swalwell, D-Calif., sits on the Intelligence Committee.