War in Ukraine is a fight for the heart of Europe and the principles U.S. has championed

By instigating a brutal war in Ukraine, Vladimir Putin no doubt sought to elevate Russia’s global standing and weaken democracy’s hold over Europe. But thanks to the Ukrainian people’s defiance — and that of their president, Volodymyr Zelensky — those efforts have been met with a unified front that democracy and freedom for all are worth the battle.

Evidence tells us that Putin had long-envisioned this unprovoked invasion and its coinciding propaganda campaign. But in his planning, Putin miscalculated one crucial factor: the resolve of the Ukrainian people. Their inspiring refusal to fold in the face of Russian aggression demonstrates that the flame of democracy will not be easily extinguished.

In fact, Putin’s efforts to undermine freedom and democracy have actually re-ignited the fight for those very values across Eastern Europe. After years behind the Iron Curtain, the Ukrainian people are now ready to die for the freedom they have only recently tasted.

President Zelensky, Russia’s number one target, has refused offers to escape the capital city and instead put his life on the line for Ukraine’s freedom. He put it best when he said, “The fight is here. I need ammunition, not a ride.” That inspirational leadership has compelled thousands to take action.

Technology has allowed scenes of bravery from the Ukrainian people to unfold right before our eyes. In the past week, I’ve watched a man attempt to hold back a tank with nothing but his bare hands before kneeling in front of it, citizens form blockades in the streets to halt the Russian army, and families craft homemade grenades using whatever supplies they can find.

These stories of courage and heroism prove that democracy is not on the run. Moreover, rather than severing Ukrainian relations with the West, Putin’s war has revealed just how aligned Ukraine is with American values.

Before the United States even existed, Americans fought for freedom and democracy during the American Revolution. Like Ukraine, we were a small army facing what seemed like a giant. But ordinary people — farmers, blacksmiths, and teachers — stood up to fight for their freedom. Our nation’s history tells us that, in the face of threats, freedom and democracy often emerge stronger than before.

This is playing out even in Putin’s own country, where thousands of Russians have taken to the streets to protest an unjust war, facing punishment and arrest at the hands of the Kremlin. These brave men and women are not afraid to call Putin what he truly is: a power-hungry tyrant.

No matter the outcome of this war, President Zelensky and the Ukrainian people’s fierce determination have left a permanent mark on Europe and the world. America must match their resolve and ensure Putin and his cronies pay a severe price for their evil acts. Sanctions were a necessary — albeit long overdue — step, but there is still more to be done. Bullies like Putin and Xi Jinping only understand strength. That’s why Congress must act now to provide weapons and humanitarian assistance to Ukraine, and to bolster our own national defense capabilities. We must not return to the weak policies of the Obama administration that emboldened our adversaries.

This isn’t just a fight against one oppressive regime; it’s a fight for the heart of Europe and for the principles that America has always championed — democracy and freedom for all. If the United States is to live up to its reputation as a beacon of democracy, now is the time to stand with President Zelensky and the Ukrainian people as their courage galvanizes the fight for freedom around the world.

This story was originally published March 8, 2022 at 3:02 PM.