Hoyer Remarks at Press Conference to Kick Off Ukraine Week 2025
WASHINGTON, DC – This afternoon, Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (MD-05) delivered remarks at a press conference hosted by Co-Chairs of the bipartisan Congressional Ukraine Caucus Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-09), Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01), Congressman Mike Quigley (IL-05), and Congressman Joe Wilson (SC-02). The press conference featured remarks by members of the Congressional Ukraine Caucus and Ukrainians affected by the war to kick off the start of Ukraine Week 2025. Below is a transcript of his remarks:
"My name is Steny Hoyer. I'm the former Majority Leader of the House of Representatives. And I wear this pin every day. [The] people behind me are members of the Ukrainian armed forces, fighters, survivors of the war crimes that have been committed against them and their country. I am honored to stand with them.
“These Ukrainians have heard the air sirens shriek and the bombs burst. Yet they fight on. Will we make them listen to the sound of Ukrainian children forced to sing the Russian national anthem each day, as is required under Russian occupation? Your answer is no. These Ukrainians have seen entire towns and cities erased, yet they fight on with courage and commitment. Will we abandon them? That is the question. Will we abandon them to see the Russian flag fly over their churches, their schools and their home? These Ukrainians live with the loss of family, friends, brothers, sisters, parents. Yet, they fight on.
“Will we leave them to live in fear that Putin could punish them simply for expressing an opinion, practicing a religion, or speaking a language not approved by the Russian state? Our answer must be a resounding no. Our answer must be victory, not the weakness of a deal. They tried that in World War II to another dictator, and it didn't work. And it will not work now.
“Our answer must be victory, not only for Ukraine's sake, but for all. If we fail to defeat Ukraine's Russian criminal invader, America will look weak, the free world will look vulnerable, and the principle of sovereignty that underpins our international system will look like a thing of the past. Enemies of freedom around the world are watching America's next move.
“History tells us that if America answers an expansionist dictator with appeasement now, a day may come when America must send not only weapons overseas, but also service members, as Joe Wilson observed. When the sirens and shells deafen American ears, when caskets returning from the front line are draped in red, white and blue, not blue and gold. I call on this Congress to give Ukraine what it needs to ensure not only its survival, but the survival of democracy, human rights and international law everywhere.
"This is America's war. Yes, it is Ukraine's war - they are on the front line, they are shedding the blood, but we should be 100% in this war with them in the support that we give them. I hope that Mr. Trump will do that. I pray that he wants to win. He says all the time, ‘win.’ That is what our objective needs to be, to send a message to terrorists, whether they be international war criminals or terrorists like Hamas. The coming victory or defeat will be theirs as well.
"Ronald Reagan has been quoted: ‘Tear down this wall, Mr. Gorbachev.’ In Berlin, John F. Kennedy went to the wall and said, ‘I am a Berliner.’ Today, let us all say, ‘I am a Ukrainian.’ Victory shall be ours.”