The following statement was released by the Ukrainian American Bar Association on October 30. It was signed by the officers and governors of the Ukrainian American Bar Association.
Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman has testified before Congress as to his knowledge relating to the Administration’s recent communications with Ukraine. Lt. Col. Vindman is a career Army officer, an expert on Ukrainian affairs, and is the recipient of the Purple Heart for his patriotic bravery in Iraq. He is also of Ukrainian descent.
News media personalities and certain politicians have recklessly attacked the credibility of Lt. Col. Vindman, claiming that his ethnicity as an American of Ukrainian descent made his testimony suspect, and even suggested that it approached espionage or treason. Evidently, these critics have selective amnesia of American history. Our country’s history is replete with foreign-born individuals who have played major roles in the political and democratic development of our country – from Alexander Hamilton who was born in St. Kitts – Nevis to Henry Kissinger who was born in Germany.