Senate confirms Brink as envoy to Ukraine
The Senate confirmed Bridget Brink as the U.S. ambassador to Ukraine on Wednesday, the latest signal of American diplomatic efforts during Ukraine’s ongoing battle against the Russian invasion. Brink was confirmed unanimously by the Senate without a formal roll call vote. The position had been vacant since 2019.
The same day as Brink’s confirmation, the U.S. reopened its embassy in Kyiv, with diplomats returning on a permanent basis to the capital city.
POW ‘pleading for forgiveness’ from widow
A Russian POW who could face life in prison after fatally shooting a Ukrainian civilian asked the victim’s wife for forgiveness Thursday. A day earlier, Sgt. Vadim Shishimarin pleaded guilty in the same Kyiv court, saying he was following orders from a Russian officer when he shot Oleksandr Shelipov, 62, through a window of a car the Russians had hijacked.
Shishimarin, 21, said his group was fleeing a Ukraine advance and the officer feared the man could pinpoint their location to Ukrainian forces. He said he at first disobeyed his immediate commanding officer’s order but had to follow the order when it was repeated by another officer.
“I realize that you can’t forgive me, but I’m pleading for forgiveness,” Shishimarin said.
Kateryna Shelipova described her husband as “my defender” and said the soldier deserves a life sentence. But she added that he could be swapped with Russia for a Ukrainian POW.
Senate approves $40B aid bill, sends it to Biden
The Senate approved more than $40 billion of additional humanitarian and military assistance for Ukraine on Thursday, as the last aid package was expected to run out this week. The bill, which now heads to President Joe Biden’s desk, is triple the amount of aid the U.S. has already committed to the country trying to beat back Russia’s invasion. It passed 86-11 with most Republicans joining every Democrat in approving the bill.
Biden thanked Congress in a statement for swiftly passing the bill and added: “Together with the contributions of our Allies and partners, we will keep security, economic, food and humanitarian assistance flowing to Ukraine, across the region, and around the world, and further strengthen Ukraine – both on the battlefield and at the negotiating table.”
Biden backs Sweden, Finland on NATO bids
President Joe Biden on Thursday offered full support for Finland and Sweden joining NATO, saying they have the “full, total complete backing” of the U.S.
“Finland and Sweden make NATO stronger,” Biden said in the Rose Garden as the leaders of those countries stood behind him. “And a strong, united NATO is the foundation of America’s security.”
Biden said any doubts raised in recent years about NATO’s relevance have been dispelled by Russia’s invasion.
After a long tradition of neutrality, Finland and Sweden on Wednesday applied to join NATO. All current 30 members must agree and Turkey has raised objections. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has accused Finland and Sweden of supporting Kurdish militants and others whom Turkey considers terrorists and of imposing restrictions on military sales to Turkey.