Rep. Tom Reed of New York’s 22nd Congressional District recently visited the Ukraine-Poland boarder on a bipartisan delegation trip.
Reed (R-NY) was part of the House delegation made up of Republicans and Democrats that visited the Ukraine boarder last week. He said the purpose of the trip was to show solidarity with NATO allies.
Related: Tom Reed hosts farewell town hall events across Finger Lakes
What did Reed see on his trip?
Reed said he met with the U.S. Army’s 82nd Airborne Division in Poland. He also witnessed refugees making their way to Poland.
“As I stood there, it hits you. It hits you how the world can turn upside down very quickly and a lot of innocent people are potentially put in harms way and that’s why we have to be strong,” said Reed, according to WENY.
He emphasized the importance of members of Congress showing a united front against U.S. adversaries like Russia and China. Another important part of his trip centered on how the U.S. can continue to support Ukraine as the Russian invasion of the county continues.
Related: U.S. Rep. Katko sanctioned by Russia, remains committed to supporting Ukraine
Does the U.S. permit travel to Ukraine right now?
The U.S. Department of State has warned members of Congress not to go to Ukraine due to security concerns. Reed said he was mindful of those concerns when visiting the border. He added that he didn’t want his trip to take resources away from those escaping Ukraine. The travel advisory from the State Department lists Ukraine as a “Level 4: Do Not Travel” country.
Related: Fake charity websites on the rise as war in Ukraine unfolds: Helpful tips to avoid scams
FingerLakes1.com is the region’s leading all-digital news publication. The company was founded in 1998 and has been keeping residents informed for more than two decades. Have a lead? Send it to [email protected].