Amid the largest and most lethal attack in Europe since World War II, Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) this week met with Ambassador of Poland Marek Magierowski to underscore the United States’ commitment to providing aircraft, military equipment and humanitarian aid to those on the frontlines defending freedom against tyranny as well as to coordinate efforts to hold Vladimir Putin accountable for war crimes.

            Smith’s meeting with the Ambassador comes as Poland has welcomed more than 1.4 million Ukrainians—most of whom are women and children—who have been forced to leave their homes as the Russian military uses willful and deadly force to target civilians and non-military infrastructure—including hospitals, schools and residential buildings.

            “Poland is a great friend to the United States and a critical ally in stopping the ongoing and ever-expanding mass murder waged by Russian dictator and war criminal Vladimir Putin,” said Rep. Smith, who voted last night to provide Ukraine with critical military equipment assistance and ban imports of Russian oil.

            “The United States must work closely with Poland and other NATO partners to ensure safety for those fleeing the horrific destruction and violence caused by Putin’s unprovoked, barbaric invasion and to help those sacrificing their lives to defend their beloved country from Putin’s brutal dictatorship.”

            Smith called attention to Poland’s welcoming of victims of Putin’s aggression at a hearing he chaired earlier this week regarding legislation he authored to hold the Russian dictator and others to account for war crimes against the people of Ukraine.

            “While an aggressive effort to hold Putin personally accountable won’t stop the onslaught overnight, it must be part of a comprehensive strategy that includes robust humanitarian aid, sanctions including barring the importation of Russian oil, and military assistance in the type, quality and quantity that empowers Ukrainians to more effectively defend themselves,” Smith said.

            A longtime friend to Poland, Smith was a leading proponent in pushing for acceptance of the country into the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) as chair of the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe—also known as the Helsinki Commission.

            One of 30 NATO member countries, Poland has fulfilled its commitment to spend 2 percent of its GDP on defense capabilities—a policy that was elevated by President Trump—and continues to increase military spending to thwart Putin’s ambitions to rebuild the Soviet empire.

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