Sen. Mark Kelly of Arizona visits Ukraine for 3rd time since Russia invaded

PHOENIX – U.S. Sen. Mark Kelly of Arizona returned from Ukraine on Sunday after meeting with officials and visiting a military hospital in the war-torn nation.

It was the Democrat’s third trip to the eastern European country since 2023.

“I visited Ukraine to show my support for the Ukrainian people. As always, I’m blown away by their resolve as they fight for their country in the face of [Russian President Vladimir] Putin’s illegal invasion,” Kelly said in a press release. “I plan to bring what I’ve learned from Ukrainian leaders, service members and the Ukrainian people back to Washington to share the direct impact our support has on the ground.”

What did Sen. Mark Kelly do in eastern Europe?

Kelly, a former U.S. Navy combat pilot, met with Deputy Minister of Defense Ivan Havryliuk and a Ukrainian security chief to discuss the impact of the U.S. pausing military aid. Kelly told them he is working to reinstate support.

The Arizona senator also visited a military hospital, where he heard from wounded service members, doctors and staff about what they’ve endured.

In addition, Kelly laid flowers at the Wall of Remembrance of the Fallen for Ukraine in Kyiv.

“One thing is clear: No one wants this war to end more than President [Volodymyr] Zelenskyy and the Ukrainian people,” Kelly said. “But it has to end in a way that protects their sovereignty and security. The safety of Ukraine is tied to the safety of the United States, that’s why I stand with Ukraine.”

While in eastern Europe, Kelly also stopped in Poland and met with U.S. military officials and service members there.

Arizona senator visits Ukraine amid controversy over aid

Kelly made the trip after President Donald Trump issued a directive last Monday to pause U.S. assistance as he seeks to pressure Zelenskyy to engage in negotiations.

Trump’s move came just days after an Oval Office meeting in which he and Vice President JD Vance tore into Zelenskyy for what they perceived as insufficient gratitude for the more than $180 billion the U.S. has appropriated for aid since Russia invaded on Feb. 24, 2022.

Kelly later called that meeting a “dumpster fire of diplomacy.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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