Ukraine born, now in Congress: How Victoria Spartz wants the U.S. to respond to Russia
One month ago, as a U.S. congressional delegation visited Ukraine to discuss a looming threat by Russia, Rep. Victoria Spartz of Indiana shared a message with the media in English and in Ukrainian.
“Freedom is never free and never easy,” Spartz said. “But it’s worth it.”
Today, as the country fights an ongoing Russian invasion led by Russian President Vladimir Putin, she feels a grave sense of responsibility to act, both as a member of Congress and as a Ukrainian American.
“Ukrainians are going to fight for their country,” Spartz told a crowd gathered at Monument Circle on Saturday. “And they’re going to win. American people always stand with the right stand of history. They always stand with freedom. Always.”
Her heritage has influenced her career and conservative values as a politician, the Republican congresswoman previously shared with IndyStar.
Indiana: How Victoria Spartz's Ukrainian roots influence her conservative values
Her grandfather used to tell her stories about going hungry during the deadly Ukrainian famine, manufactured by Joseph Stalin and killing millions of people. Her campaign ads have previously shown people in long lines, waiting for food, “the misery of socialism.”
At Saturday’s rally held in downtown Indianapolis, Spartz wore blue and yellow, the colors of the Ukrainian flag, and an American flag neck scarf. She’d just arrived from a congressional trip to Israel, where she learned of Russia’s initial attack. Prior U.S. intelligence, pointing to potential threats, didn’t soften the news.
Live updates: Russia's 40-mile convoy appears to have bogged down en route to Kyiv; shells pound Ukrainian city of Kharkiv. Live updates.
“It's still shocking to hear that this is a large-scale war,” Spartz told the IndyStar. “It's very dangerous. It's insane. … We just have to look forward and we need to ensure that we deter further aggression and bring peace to Europe because it will benefit all of us.”
Over the weekend, with fighting escalating and thousands of people fleeing the country, President Joe Biden authorized $350 million in military aid to Ukraine.
"We need to send our ‘guns’ now to stop this large-scale aggression in Europe," Spartz reacted on Twitter. "So we don’t have to send our ‘guys and gals’ later!"
The United States will also continue to apply stiffer economic sanctions against Russia — the U.S. ambassador to the U.N. told NBC — and some Russian banks have been blocked from the critical SWIFT financial system.
Spartz also addressed the refugees from the conflict on CNN Sunday, saying "the whole world needs to help." When asked about the United States’ obligation to accept refugees, she pointed to other countries and the United Nations, in addition to the U.S.
"The UN, the organization, was created for a reason ... to not to have wars," Spartz said. "They need to step up and really help."
Spartz told IndyStar she has reached out to Biden's office to offer help in the crisis, along with Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Mark Milley. She notes that Biden's Chief of Staff Ron Klain is a fellow Hoosier.
"I try to find common ground, especially in the difficult times," Spartz said. "This is an important time to show unity."
When asked about the role of the presidency in standing up to Putin and doing more to prevent Russian aggression, Spartz said the United States has to be more strategic long term in prioritizing foreign policy and national defense. She also pointed to Congress.
“Administrations have to deal with that, but we're also (an) independent branch,” Spartz said. “We have a responsibility for the people. ... Maybe it will be a wake-up call for my colleagues, too, because ... we cannot just always blame presidents. We have to take responsibilities as legislators.”
At Saturday's rally, as people of all ages chanted to "Save Ukraine," Spartz noted the dangers of war and the lessons of resilience for the next generation.
"I hope our young people are going to start paying more attention how important it is to be strong and keep peace," Spartz told IndyStar. "And what really totalitarian regimes and socialism has done to people ... how many people are dying for freedoms."
"Life is tough ... but when you are strong, things will be better for you."
Contact Rashika Jaipuriar at rjaipuriar@gannett.com and follow her on Twitter @rashikajpr.
IndyStar reporter Kaitlin Lange and USA Today contributed to this report.