NEW ORLEANS — From its rich farmland to major shipping ports and its resilient people, Ukraine and Louisiana have a lot in common.
The war-torn country is relying on those ties and the democratic values they share with the United States for continued support in the nearly two-year conflict with Russia.
Pavio Unguryan is a former member of the Ukrainian Parliament.
“This is a moment in history when all the soldiers of light, all the western civilizations need to be together,” Unguryan said.
Thursday, a delegation from Ukraine visited New Orleans to brief local businesses and elected leaders.
This comes at a time when international attention has shifted to the conflict in the Middle East.
There is also talk among some in Congress that it may be time to scale back U.S. assistance to Ukraine.
That concerns Davyd Arakhamia, a current member of the country’s parliament.
“When we are hearing this kind of a news story, opinions that we probably have to decrease the size of the military assistance, it’s really depressing to the Ukrainian people, especially Ukrainian soldiers on the front,” Arakhamia said.
According to the Associated Press, the U.S. has already provided more than $44 billion in aid to Ukraine.
Parliament Member Olena Kondratiuk said her country is basically insolvent as direct result of the Russian invasion.
“I know that if it weren’t for the U.S. financial support Ukraine’s government would have collapsed, leading to Russia winning the war,” Kondratiuk.
City and state lawmakers attending the briefing pledged their support.
“Just want you to know, we stand I solidarity with you all and anything we can do, name it and we’re there,” Rep, Jason Hughes, D-New Orleans said. “It’s a partnership every step of the way.”
The Ukrainian delegation is expected to meet with Congressman Steve Scalise next week in Washington.
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