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Quigley Statement on Ukrainian President Zelenskyy’s Visit

September 3, 2021

Today, U.S. Representative Mike Quigley (IL-05) released the following statement after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with President Joe Biden and, later, with members of the Congressional Ukrainian Caucus:

"I proudly represent a vibrant Ukrainian-American community in Chicago who are responsible for a wealth of cultural, artistic, and leadership contributions, all of which have left a distinct mark on the melting pot of our nation. Their advocacy is part of what has inspired me over the years to work to support the relationship between Ukraine and the United States. My many trips to Ukraine over the years have emphasized the value of that relationship and serving on the Intelligence Committee has reinforced how critical our connection with Ukraine is to our national security.

"I am glad that President Biden welcomed President Zelenskyy to the White House today and that President Zelenskyy took the time to meet with members of the Congressional Ukrainian Caucus. These meetings and exchanges of ideas will surely strengthen the relationship between our two nations.

"Last week, I led 20 members of the Congressional LGBT Equality Caucus in calling on President Biden to discuss LGBTQ+ rights in Ukraine during his meeting with President Zelenskyy. While Ukraine has made significant strides on behalf of LGBTQ individuals, challenges still remain. I was pleased to learn that President Biden and President Zelenskyy discussed some of these concerns during today's meeting. I remain committed to advocating for LGBTQ+ rights around the globe because LGBTQ+ rights are human rights."