Welcome: Ukraine’s Fight and My Story

In February 2022, at 37 weeks pregnant, I found myself crisscrossing the halls of Congress, lobbying for military aid to Ukraine. Wearing sneakers—which was all I could manage at the time—I navigated Capitol Hill, speaking with anyone who would listen about my country’s desperate fight for survival.

I hadn’t planned to be in the United States during the war. Just ten days before Russia’s invasion, I flew to Texas to visit my husband. By the time the first missiles struck, returning home was no longer an option. For weeks, I woke up in a borrowed bedroom in Northeast Washington, got into a borrowed car, and made my way to Capitol Hill. I carried a simple but urgent message: Ukraine needs help—now.

During those early weeks, I met with over 50 members of Congress. Some were allies from the start, while others needed convincing. In one of the earliest meetings, we were treated as if we were terminally ill patients, promised “10,000 helmets”—as though helmets alone could stop tanks and missiles. Filled with frustration, I reminded myself of the mothers in Ukraine, who faced far greater challenges with unimaginable strength, and it kept me focused on our mission.

The first confrontation with Congress over the supplemental aid package in 2022 was another moment I won’t forget. I pleaded with them to vote immediately. “After Easter recess,” they said. Recess? I asked them how we were supposed to fight for a month without resources. No one seemed particularly worried. For them, it was politics as usual. For us, it was survival.

I went on every major television network, speaking directly to the American people. Politicians outright dismissed even the possibility of a no-fly zone. But just two weeks later, polling showed 74% of Americans supported it. I cried when I saw those numbers because ordinary Americans understood what many politicians didn’t: this was a war of good versus evil.

But of course, we had allies standing with us from day one. One of my earliest meetings was with Senator Mitch McConnell. I was struck by how much he knew about our weaponry—more than many Ukrainians. His grasp of the details and his understanding of what was at stake gave me hope, even in those grim days. It was a stark contrast to the broader inertia I encountered.

In those early days, I met with the "For Country Caucus," a bipartisan group of U.S. veterans in Congress. In Ukraine, we don’t yet have a veterans’ caucus, so I was struck by their dedication and camaraderie. We spoke late into the night, until 1:30 in the morning, prompting my friend to text, worried for my safety and reminding me that I was pregnant. Though overwhelmed, I was deeply moved by their unwavering determination and support.

As I reflect on these years, I measure time not just by milestones in the war but by my daughter’s growth. When the invasion began, she was a baby waiting to be born. Today, she’s walking, talking, counting to ten, and learning her alphabet. Each milestone makes me wonder—how long does it take for leaders to not only take a stand but also take action?

In March 2022, the first shipment of 2,000 Javelin anti-tank missiles and 800 Stinger air-defense systems reached Ukraine. Yet it wasn’t until June that HIMARS arrived, giving Ukraine the precision artillery needed. The fight to secure F-16s for Ukraine was another long and frustrating battle; pilot training, too, was delayed. Tanks, essential for breaking entrenched lines, took nearly a year. ATACMS followed over a year after Ukraine’s request, initially without permission to target Russia directly, and even now their use remains restricted.

Despite the delays and doubts over whether certain systems were "too complicated to learn," Ukraine’s defenders have repeatedly proven their ability to master any weapon system with remarkable speed. The liberation of Kherson and breakthroughs in Kharkiv are powerful testaments to the resilience of our soldiers and the impact of having the right tools at the right time. Imagine how much more could be done if aid came before it was desperately needed. Just like with children, withholding resources stunts success.

If someone had told me years ago I’d chair the Special Commission on Arms Control, I would have laughed. Yet here I am, with more knowledge of heavy weaponry than I ever imagined. I joked about naming my daughter “Javelin,” but we chose Victoria instead—because every Ukrainian child born is a victory. I hope Ukraine’s victory comes before Tori can write her name.

I am deeply grateful to the Senators and Congresspeople—both Democrats and Republicans—who voted to send aid to Ukraine, upholding the values that Americans hold dear. With over 70% of Americans supporting military aid to Ukraine, they stood for the nation’s core principles of confronting authoritarianism and demonstrating strength in the face of aggression. This isn’t just charity—it’s a testament to American resolve to lead decisively when it matters most.

Yet we must stop playing catch-up. The price of delay is paid in lives and suffering. The lesson is clear: we need to move from reacting to anticipating and acting decisively.

I’m starting this Substack to share my reflections on what this fight means for Ukraine and the world. I’ll write about the lessons we’ve learned, the progress we’ve made, and the work that lies ahead. I’ll explore the intersections of personal experience and geopolitics.

I’ve shared these insights with dozens of counterparts on Capitol Hill, in the Pentagon, and within U.S. business communities. Now, I want to use this platform to speak directly and with unflinching honesty about Ukraine’s defense and what’s truly happening on the ground.

Thank you for joining me. Together, let’s ensure Ukraine’s victory is not just hoped for but realized.