Today marks the 250th anniversary of one of humanity's brightest, strongest, and most influential dreams – the American Dream of an independent, free, and prosperous nation that defends people's freedom, faith, and the pursuit of happiness.
That dream has endured many trials. It did not merely survive – it has, for two and a half centuries now, served as an example for other nations and helped the entire humanity stand firm and become freer. This was especially important in the 20th century, when America helped save the world from the rule of tyrants and built the alliances and partnerships that, for the first time, gave a large part of humanity lasting peace and the opportunity to develop in freedom.
Now, in the 21st century, America's influence and importance are certainly no less. And we see that particularly clearly in Ukraine, which is fighting for its independence, freedom, and our people's right to happiness with much the same hope, the same purpose, and the same determination with which Americans won and defended their own independence.
We deeply value the support of the United States, especially now, during Russia's full-scale war against Ukraine. American weapons – from the Javelins that President Trump decided to give to Ukraine to the Patriots that most reliably protect the lives of our people – everything the United States has provided to help us defend our country demonstrates the strength of the American spirit, American resolve, and American technology.
And we know the value of all these words better than anyone. When we ask America for Patriots, we believe that the values of respect for life and for people that prevailed 250 years ago will prevail again today. The world needs the kind of leadership that guarantees protection for freedom and for life.
I wish America a happy Fourth of July, the President of the United States and all Americans every success, and all of us around the world who value America – fruitful cooperation. "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness." That is what unites all of us – all who respect America and thank America today.
May the dreams of free people always triumph over the evil and hatred of those who seek to destroy freedom. America, thank you! I am confident that if we're in it together, we'll definitely achieve peace! Congratulations on your Independence Day!
This week, I prepared a special letter addressed to the President of the United States and to Congress. And yesterday, the letter was officially delivered to the institutions in Washington. It is quite rare for the leader of another state to address both the President and Congress of the United States simultaneously with a letter. But the situation now requires action, swift and effective action.
It is important that America hear Ukraine. We understand that much of the world’s attention is currently focused on the war in Iran. But the war here in Europe must also be brought to an end – a very bloody war that is already in its fifth year at full scale.
The sooner we are able to provide greater protection against ballistic threats, the sooner we will be able to make diplomacy work. As long as Russia continues to rely on missiles, its interest in diplomacy is not real. We must correct this. And we can do so only together with America.
Ukraine is grateful to America for all its support. And Ukraine will be even more grateful for a dignified peace and guaranteed security. All of this is possible – if there is sufficient determination.
Every single GOP Congressman from Texas voted to support Russia yesterday, while they kill Ukrainian civilians and help Iran wage war against us.
This includes @TXRandy14 & @RepBrianBabin & many others.
Let’s remember that in November.
https://t.co/6UAgc3HbMa
@politico@DashaBurns Biden could have done a bit more but he did A LOT to support Ukraine. Heck of a lot more than Obama, who only provided Ukraine non-lethal aid when Russia invaded Crimea and started operations in the Donbas. I give Biden an A- on Ukraine. 🇺🇦 🇺🇸
This exchange between @SenBlumenthal and Trump’s judicial nominees is utterly astounding.
If you can watch this and still think this country isn’t falling into authoritarianism and fascism under Donald Trump, then you are not being honest with yourself.
One of the most cynical Russian war crimes is the systematic, calculated transfer of Ukrainian children, scattering them across Russia, concealing their fate, “reprogramming” their culture, and continuously, shamelessly subjecting them to militarization. It is vitally important to bring our children back home from there. Before the Russians break them. And every initiative, every activity, every effort that helps achieve this also helps Ukraine. I said this while addressing participants of the Civil Society and Expert Day.
Thanks to our Bring Kids Back UA initiative, we have secured 2,126 returns, and we will continue this work. We have engaged strong international mediators to help bring the children home.
I am grateful to every country that has joined our Coalition for the Return of Children. I want to thank every leader of the countries contributing to the effort, and every First Lady of countries that care and are concerned about the fate of abducted children. I thank our Bring Kids Back team. I am grateful to all diplomats, international organizations, and journalists who maintain focus on the rescue of children.
Rep. Don Bacon (R-NE-02) - @RepDonBacon: We are one signature away to get a vote on the floor that would put sanctions on Russia and renew military aid to Ukraine. We need one more signature, and I can guarantee you there'll be a lot of Republicans who vote for that. We gotta push the discharge (petition) to make it happen.
“I pray every Wednesday for victory in Ukraine. Hear, hear. I'm a believer. There's a God that listens to our prayers.
I believe in the God of the Bible, and I pray for Ukraine's victory, and I pray for justice and judgment on Putin and his henchmen, and that God will come down and help Ukraine win this war much sooner rather than later.
I'm so moved by the heart of so many Ukrainian believers that I've met. I was at a worship service yesterday, with some Ukrainian priests and some of the folks that were affiliated with him, and you could just see the faith. And when I was there, I saw the faith.
So my second point, Ukraine's fighting for freedom, free markets, democracy, rule of law, and they wanna walk the talk of being part of the West. Folks who were involved with bribery and all that stuff, they're in jail now. Ukraine is wanting to be part and be aligned with the West. They don't wanna be part of the Russian shadow, and they wanna move away from that, and that's one of the reasons why Putin don't like it. They shows that his neighbor could be a democracy and free market.
And I think this shows even more clearly that they (Russians) just want to reclaim old territory and they don’t care about Ukraine. They don't care about Ukrainians. They just wanna restore their old borders. But this is a fight against evil versus good.
And America's gotta stand on the right side of this, on the side of good, which means we gotta help them with military weapons. We gotta help them with long-range precision F-16s with new radars, air defenses. And we've gotta put sanctions on Russia that we force the president to put on them. Cause I've not seen him do right here.
So we are one signature away to get a vote on the floor that would put sanctions on Russia and renew military aid to Ukraine. And so talk to the folks you know. We need one more signature, and I can guarantee you there'll be a lot of Republicans who vote for that. We gotta push the discharge (petition) to make it happen.
My heart is with you. My prayers are with the Ukrainians who are here. We want a victorious Ukraine that's aligned with the West. And I tell you a victorious Ukraine will be a leader in the EU. And they're gonna be a leader in NATO” - Rep. Don Bacon (R-NE-02) on Wednesday, April 22, 2026.