Press Releases

Washington, D.C. – 1/20/23… Today, Congressman Mike Lawler (NY-17) released the following statement after news broke that North Korea appears to be providing the Wagner Group, a Russian paramilitary organization that has committed war crimes across the globe, with weapons in their unjust war against Ukraine.

“The news that North Korea appears to be supplying arms and ammunition to aid Vladimir Putin’s butchery in Ukraine is deeply concerning. The enemies of freedom and democracy are united, working hand-in-hand to disrupt and dismantle the free world. We must never shy away from confronting our foes, whether North Korea, Russia, China, or Iran.

Nor can we shirk off our responsibilities to our allies around the globe, including Ukraine, Israel, and our democratic partners in Europe and elsewhere. As a newly appointed member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, I look forward to working with Chairman McCaul and my colleagues to ensure that the United States maintains the strongest national defense possible and is using every tool at its disposal to confront this new axis of evil."

New York’s 17th District, which includes all or parts of Rockland, Westchester, Putnam, and Dutchess counties, is a suburban district located just north of New York City. The 17th District is also home to one of the largest Jewish populations in the country.