WASHINGTON — Republican Rep. Victoria Spartz from Indiana is joining a bipartisan delegation to Belgium and Ukraine as tensions in the area increase.
She is joining Chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee Rep. Gregory Meeks, D-NY, and Representatives David Cicilline, D-RI, Ami Bera, D-CA, Colin Allred, D-TX, Chrissy Houlahan, D-PA, Tom Malinowski, D-NJ, Sara Jacobs, D-CA, Mark Green, R-TN, August Pfluger, R-TX, and Mikie Sherill, D-NJ.
In Brussels, Belgium, the delegation will meet with representatives from NATO, the EU and its member states to discuss the buildup of Russian troops along Ukraine's border and in Belarus, according to a press release from Spartz's office.
In Kyiv, Ukraine, the delegation will meet with senior officials in the county to discuss the security situation and reinforce the United States' support for Ukrainian sovereignty and territorial integrity, according to the release.
Spartz was born in Ukraine and has previously discussed her childhood in the country. She moved to Noblesville after meeting her husband on a train in Europe.
"With one suitcase, I came to this country for American dream, life and build my future," Spartz told WRTV before the 2020 election.
On Monday, The Associated Press reported Ukraine's leaders are seeking to reassure the nation an invasion from Russia is not imminent.
MORE | Analysis: Crisis in Ukraine a showdown of two world views
On Sunday, the State Department ordered families of all American personnel and non-essential personnel at the U.S. Embassy in Kyiv to leave the country. The State Department said the embassy would remain open.
The State Department is also warning all Americans against traveling to Ukraine and Russia because of the tensions the two countries.
-
Body recovered from pond near Castleton, IMPD investigating
IMPD has confirmed a death investigation is underway after a body was recovered from a pond near Castleton at 82nd Street and Craig Avenue Wednesday morning.Bystander killed by stray bullet in Greenwood, suspect in custody
A 21-year-old Indianapolis man is in custody after a shooting that left an uninvolved bystander dead at a Greenwood apartment complex.AES Indiana seeks public input on coal ash contamination corrective measures
Groundwater monitoring results of the Harding Street Station's Ash Pond System found levels of arsenic, lithium and molybdenum above groundwater protection standards.Program trains future teachers at Alexandria-Monroe High School
A pre-apprenticeship program in Alexandria Community School Corporation is helping high school students get a head start on becoming teachers, while also addressing the nationwide teacher shortage.