KIEV, UKRAINE — U.S. Senator Rob Portman, R-Ohio, co-founder and co-chair of the Senate Ukraine Caucus and a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, received the Order of Merit from Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko during his visit to Ukraine.
The Order of Merit is given to individuals for outstanding achievements in economics, science, culture, military or political spheres of activity. It was first established by Ukrainian President Leonid Kuchma in 1996. Those who are awarded the Order of Merit have the official title Chevalier of the Order of Merit.
“I’m deeply honored to receive the Order of Merit from Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko in Kiev,” said Portman. “America stands with the Ukrainian people in their struggle to secure a democratic, prosperous, and independent future for Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression.
“As co-founder and co-chair of the Senate Ukraine Caucus and author of several provisions authorizing expanded U.S. military assistance — including lethal aid — and establishing the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, I will continue to do everything I can to help the Ukrainians defend themselves against Russian aggression.”
