In Wake Of Russian Invasion, Congressman Krishnamoorthi Emphasizes Importance Of Global COVID-19 Aid In Countering The Influence Of Russia And The People’s Republic Of China

WASHINGTON – Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi issued the following statement today anticipating a new phase of global competition with Russia and the People's Republic of China and highlighting the importance of foreign COVID-19 assistance in countering Russian and PRC influence and aggression around the world:

"As Russian tanks roll into Ukraine and Vladimir Putin looks to rebuild the Soviet empire, the implications for global stability and the international rule of law are grim. Tyrants and petty strongmen around the world will be emboldened to take what they want, and as they do, they will find support in each other, ushering in a new cold war between democracies and autocracies, Russia and the People's Republic of China chief among them.

In this moment, we must consider the full scope of the new cold war in which we now find ourselves engaged. Russia and the Chinese Communist Party are aggressively expanding their influence around the world, peddling a mixture of weapons, finance, and humanitarian aid. The United States has long been the largest supplier of medicines, food, and economic assistance to developing countries, and this has helped build a strong network of allies and trading partners across the globe. However, the PRC's Belt and Road Initiative now threatens to supplant the goodwill won through American development programs, and the COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated this shift. The PRC has already shipped nearly 1.5 billion vaccines to countries around the world, and Chinese health and development assistance has made inroads across the Global South. In the absence of American assistance, developing countries have no choice but to accept Russia's and China's Faustian bargain.

We must counter the influence of Russia and the People's Republic of China by fully funding American COVID-19 aid programs. We must demonstrate the strength and generosity of the United States and our democratic allies by delivering desperately needed vaccines, therapeutics, and medical equipment to low-income countries and by building the infrastructure to get shots in arms as fast as possible. As we consider legislation to send much needed security and humanitarian assistance to Ukraine, we must also include the $5 billion requested by the White House and more to fight COVID-19 in developing countries around the world. To fail to do so would be to allow Russia's and the PRC's malevolent influence and ambition to spread unchecked."