Merrick Garland Reaffirms US Commitment to Holding Russia Accountable During Unannounced Trip to Ukraine

United States Attorney General Merrick Garland made an unannounced trip to Ukraine on Friday, according to a Justice Department official. This is Garland’s second trip to the country since Russia invaded more than a year ago.

The official said that Garland held several meetings and reaffirmed the United States’ determination to hold Russia accountable for crimes committed in its unjust and unprovoked invasion against its sovereign neighbor. Garland was invited to Lviv by the Ukrainian prosecutor general and joined President Volodymyr Zelensky at the “United for Justice Conference.”

The trip comes nearly two weeks after President Joe Biden made his first trip to Ukraine since the war began and is one of several trips made by U.S. officials to the country. The official said the trip was not announced for security reasons.

The United for Justice Conference was held to discuss the importance of international justice and the need for accountability for crimes committed in Ukraine. Garland and other international partners discussed the importance of justice and the need to hold those responsible for the war accountable.

Garland’s trip to Ukraine is part of the United States’ ongoing commitment to support the country and its people. The United States is committed to helping Ukraine achieve justice and security and to holding Russia accountable for its actions.