Pompeo and General Keane support Speaker’s efforts to provide aid to Ukraine

Former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and retired U.S. Army Gen. Jack Keane on Thursday expressed their support for Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., who is advocating for providing foreign aid to Ukraine.

House lawmakers are set to vote on a long-delayed supplemental aid request for Ukraine by President Joe Biden on Saturday. Back in February, the Senate passed a $95.3 billion aid package, including $60 billion for Ukraine, along with significant funds for Israel and the Indo-Pacific region. Johnson is reportedly championing separate aid packages of $61 billion for Ukraine, $26.4 billion for Israel, and over $8 billion for the Indo-Pacific region.

A letter from Pompeo, who served under former President Donald Trump, and Keane, a former vice chief of staff of the Army, lends support to Johnson, who is facing criticism from conservatives unhappy about sending taxpayer money abroad rather than addressing domestic issues.

“The crisis is imminent,” the letter, issued by Pompeo’s Champions America Values PAC and obtained by Newsmax, stated. “The Ukrainians are in urgent need of air defenses and artillery. The Russians are advancing westward towards NATO borders due to our indecision and disarray. Without prompt assistance to Ukraine, Russian advances will escalate.”

Pompeo and Keane cautioned that Ukraine is just one phase of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s long-term goal to create a new Russian empire similar to the Soviet Union, echoing concerns shared by moderate Republicans, most Democrats, and officials in the Biden administration.

“Without our support, Russian forces will prevail,” the letter noted. “They will reach NATO’s eastern borders, threatening Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, and Romania. Defending NATO’s Baltic members would become extremely challenging, if not impossible. Putin or his successors are likely to target NATO.”

The letter countered opponents of foreign aid for Ukraine who have misrepresented its purpose for too long.

“No one is requesting American soldiers to fight or die for Ukraine – especially not Ukrainians,” the letter clarified. “American taxpayers are not simply giving Ukraine billions of dollars. The majority of the aid to Ukraine is contributing to the rebuilding of America’s defense industry.”

Pompeo and Keane, drawing from their frontline experiences, expressed gratitude towards all lawmakers who recognize that weakness, not strength, provokes enemies. They emphasized the importance of supporting Ukraine to prevent Russia from succeeding.

“By supporting Ukraine, we reduce the likelihood of future generations of Americans having to engage in armed conflicts in Europe, the Middle East, or Asia,” they highlighted.

“Winston Churchill once said that while free nations sleep, dictators devise plans,” they stated. “Ignoring the ambitions of enemies serves no nation well. We commend your resolute commitment to America’s best interests and hope that your colleagues will support this crucial initiative.”