On NATO sidelines Ukrainian, Estonian, and American legislative leaders assure the world: Victory is Ukraine

Against the backdrop of the War Diaries exhibition, a project bringing together 14 individual stories of Ukrainian children who suffered through the genocidal acts of the Kremlin, Chairman of Ukraine’s Verkhovna Ruslan Stefanchuk, Speaker of the Estonian Parliament Lauri Hussar, and Co-Chair of the US House’s Ukraine caucus and the longest serving women in Congressional history, Representative Marcy Kaptur gathered in the Rayburn’s rotunda to applaud the strength of those youngsters whose words and art were on display. In public statements, along with those issued directly to Ukrinform, an overarching theme became apparent in the messaging of the three elected officials: Ukraine would prevail despite the depraved acts being carried out by the Moscow regime.

In finding a positive among the darkness, Chairman Stefanchuk praised the fortitude of his fellow citizens, mentioning how traffic became snarled as the residents of Kyiv rushed to provide aid and assistance to the injured children at the scene. “Today, Ukrainians and Kyviyians demonstrated to the whole world what solidarity is,” the Chairman announced. He continued by describing how, “hand to hand” and “brick by brick,” the community worked together to remove rubble and “free those who needed help.”

Verkhovna Rada Chairman Stefanchuk meeting with a victim of Russian war crimes on Capitol Hill. 

Photo Credit: Sarah Ashton-Cirillo

After stepping away from the podium, the Chairman approached a shy young girl and her mother. With empathy and care, Chairman Stefanchuk kneeled, matching the girl’s height. Clutching a stuffed toy, both her prosthetic eye and real one focused on the powerful man greeting her, the child’s story epitomized the hope of the day and Ukraine’s victorious future, topics the Chairman had just spoken on. The little hero had been a former patient at the now-destroyed Okhmatdyt, having gone through 14 surgeries there for injuries caused by orders issued by Vladimir Putin and carried out by his criminal cabal. And yet she persevered and, in engaging with the Ukrainian leader, showed the officials and policymakers in attendance that the evil incarnate plaguing her homeland would be conquered.

Estonian Speaker Lauri Hussar meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in March, 2024. - Photo Credit: President’s Office Ukraine

Standing just steps away, in comments to Ukrinform, Speaker Hussar elaborated on the magnitude of the Russian threat and explained how Estonia was at the forefront of helping ensure a victorious outcome for the Ukrainian people in the nation’s fight for liberty and liberation.

“We know what the Russians are capable of,” he began, “Because of this, we knew this is not only a fight for Ukraine’s freedom, but this is the fight for the free world, for democracy, for values which we share.”

The speaker continued by breaking down the robust and ongoing assistance Estonia provided to Ukraine’s total victory efforts.

“We have contributed 1.4% of the GDP to Ukraine as military aid, and last week, we signed a long-term military agreement. Now, we are contributing 0.25% every year from the GDP as military aid to Ukraine, and our position is very clear. We must stop Russia now. They should be defeated.”

Speaking about Estonian sovereignty and defense capacity in light of the ongoing Russian threats against his nation, Speaker Hussar issued a blunt warning to the Kremlin.

“If Russia will provoke or attack the country, the battle will continue on their soil and will have consequences for them.”

He ended by offering his thoughts on whether NATO and Ukraine have a future together.

“From this summit, we are assuring this path to Ukraine and are waiting for the next steps for Ukraine on this road. What Russian did last night in Ukraine (to the hospital) is convincing all of our allies how important continuous support is to Ukraine.”

After viewing the art display and listening to American voters vocal about their support for the Ukrainian people, the indomitable Representative from Ohio, Marcy Kaptur, offered her perspectives on NATO and the Ukrainian people’s unquenchable thirst for freedom.

Ohio Representative Mary Kaptur sharing a moment with supporters at the War Diaries Exhibit on Capitol Hill. 

Photo Credit: Sarah Ashton-Cirillo

“The NATO alliance is strong. We are seeing a greater strengthening of Europe’s ability to defend itself, but not alone. The United States will stand by Europe and stand by our allies. I think that bodes well for the future. We are only as strong as the alliance is strong.”

The doyenne of Capitol Hill then praised her congressional colleagues for their leadership on issues related to NATO and Ukraine.

“Congress has always taken the lead in supporting the development of the NATO alliance and its expansion. If you look at the votes for Ukraine in the House, it is consistently over 300 out of 435 members. Overwhelmingly, they vote for Ukraine, and they vote for our alliance with Europe.”

When asked about the fallacy of so-called “war fatigue” permeating Ukrainian partners, the Congresswoman made a stark assessment.

“They sound like people who have never had to fight because when you are fighting for liberty, you give it your all. This was true when our country (the United States) was founded; it was true for every relative I’ve had who fought in the war to help free Europe from tyranny and of the great soldiers I’ve known in my life.”

She ended our talk by simply and earnestly offering the Ukrainian people a promise, “I’m sorry that in the modern age, people have to go through this (genocide and war), but victory will be yours.”

With so much focus on questions swirling around the executive branches of crucial NATO countries, a reflective evening on Capitol Hill showed that the people’s representatives of three nations shared a common understanding. Through a combination of military and civil partnership, mutual sacrifice, and a commitment to freedom, a Russian defeat and Ukrainian victory are assured.

*Interviews have been modified for length and clarity.

Sergeant Sarah Ashton-Cirillo, Armed Forces of Ukraine

The author's opinions do not necessarily reflect those of Ukrinform's editorial board.