WASHINGTON –  U.S. Senators Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) – members of the Senate NATO Observer Group – led a bipartisan congressional delegation to Paris, France, where they met with President Emmanuel Macron.

“The partnership between France and the United States remains strong. During our meeting with President Macron we discussed Putin’s unjust invasion of Ukraine and the implications the outcome of this war will have on the security of Europe and the Western Pacific,” said Sen. Moran, member of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence. “It is vital NATO allies are united in our strong support for Ukraine, and we reaffirmed to President Macron our resolve and long-term commitment to help Ukraine not just survive, but to win. Transatlantic unity, and that of our democratic allies in Asia, sends a powerful message to China and all countries that threaten the peace and prosperity of others. We also took this opportunity to secure President Macron’s commitment to work with the U.S. and encourage Putin to release American journalist Evan Gershkovich from wrongful imprisonment in Russia.”

“As our oldest ally, France is one of the United States’ most trusted and important partners. In our meeting with President Macron, we took the opportunity to address a number of shared challenges, most critically among them: Putin’s unprovoked, barbaric invasion of Ukraine,” said Shaheen, chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee that oversees U.S. policy towards Europe. “In addition to underscoring the need for continued close coordination among NATO allies to help Ukraine defend itself and the future of democracies around the globe, I specifically raised the urgency to work in lockstep to free innocent Americans, including Evan Gershkovich and Paul Whelan, who have become political hostages to Putin. I appreciated President Marcon’s shared determination to do everything in our power to secure their freedom. I will keep working closely with our French allies and fellow Alliance members to raise their cases and ultimately, to bring them home.”

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