Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D) at a Press Conference This Morning at Her Portland Office  After Arrving in Portland Just After Midnight  From Overseas.

Volunteers Take Turns Supporting Ukraine by Flying the Blue and Gold Near the Corner of North Street and the Eastern Promenade During Heavy Traffic Hours – Morning and Late Afternoon.

A Photograph of Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D) With Former President Obama Maintains a Prominent Place in her Portland Office Conference Room.

Short on sleep, but eager to brief the press on  her fact-finding trip to Eastern European, Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D) met the press this morning at her unpretentious office on the Portland waterfront.

Pingree said that the people she spoke with during her trip were very passionate about what they need to defend themselves against the war that Putin is waging on their homeland. Despite the horrific war, the people of Ukraine are not ready to negotiate their way out of this situation.  She saw a “broad specrum” of mllitary equipment surrounding Ukraine.

Pingree attended a morning meeting in which corridors of escape were announced for Ukrainians wanting to flee their homeland.  Putin has been unwilling to maintain humane corridors that Ukrainians can use to flee their country.  Ukranians have much better knowledge of their country than do the Russians.  That enables them to get around that issue and develop escape corridors that Russians are unfamililar with Pingree said.

Speaking of military, Pingree said that she agrees with US policy in her opposition to the implementation of a no fly zone over Ukraine.  She did not elaborate on the subject, although presumably she believes that it could provoke the start of World War 111.

She remarked that the coordination efforts by Ukrainians  are impressive, alhough Ukranians and their NATO neighbors did not believe that Russia would invade their country to this extent.  Ukranians have more than stepped up to the challange of Putin and his military might. Residents of Moldova, known for its vineyards, feel particularly vulnterable to Putin because they are not part of NATO.

Many of the countries in the area feel very vulnerable, although there is a very deep commitment to their homeland.  They are united in their hated of Putin, the Congresswoman said. She’s glad that the US has now agreed to take in 100,000 immigrants from Ukraine. “We should be doing more for immigrants. We have such an antiquated immigrant system.  Everything is broken in that system,” she said.  However, Ukranians say repeatedly that they want to return home to Ukraine.

Pingree was part of a delegation composed of both Republicans and Democrats.  Often they don’t agree on issues before them in Congress, but on the issue of Ukraine all members of the delegation were united in support of this country. The Congressional fact-finding delegation visited Poland, Moldova, Romania, and Austria.

“I am pleased at how well informed Americans are about the war in Ukraine.  Because of the unstable nature of Putin, no one knows what he will do next. So much hinges on the psychological assessment of one crazy man,” she said referring to Putin.  “This is a teachable moment for Americans.  Democracy is fragile.  We are still fighting about who won the last election,” she said grimacing at the on-going controversy in this country..

In response to a question from the press during the Q&A segment of the press conference, Pingree said that in order to make some Eastern European countries less dependent on Russia for oil,we are ramping up our own production.  “Germany is moving as fast as it can.  We need to pick up our pace on renewables.”

Congresswoman Pingree said she arrived back in Portland shortly after midnight today.  That followed 18 hours of commercial air flight that began in Vienna, then on to Paris, to Detroit and finally to Portland – arriving shortly after midnight today.

“I haven’t been able to stay on top of it, but I do think that Judge Jackson will make a great Justice for the Supreme Court,” she told this blogger following the press conference that lasted almost 45 minutes.