Nunn collaborates with state and governor to send protection equipment to Ukraine

In response to Russian aggression overseas, Sen. Zach Nunn, R-Bondurant, and a Ukrainian-Iowan facilitated the airlift delivery of protection equipment to Lviv, Ukraine, from the state. Nunn and Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds on March 30 sealed the last box of helmets and ballistic vests before the cargo shipped to Ukraine.

In total, the state will be sending 146 military-grade protective helmets and 714 ballistic vests to Ukraine.

Approving an airlift to Ukraine was a challenge, but collaborations with sister city communities and Iowa-based Ukrainians resulted in the creation of a citizens convoy to shuttle supplies. Despite Russia’s attacks on Ukrainian civilians, the people of Ukraine “are bravely standing up to their attackers,” Nunn said.

“We here in Iowa, in coordination with the Consul-General of Ukraine and U.S. State Department, are also working tireless to rush lifesaving Kevlar vests and ballistic helmets to protect Ukrainian first-responders operating in an on-going war zone,” Nunn said in statement.

Nunn, of Iowa Senate District 15, told Newton News the equipment was donated by the Iowa Department of Public Safety and a number of law enforcement agencies across the state. More efforts to assist Ukraine will be available in the future, including opportunities to help Ukrainian refugees get settled in Iowa.

As an officer of the U.S. Air Force, Nunn has a connection to Ukraine. In addition to participating in reconnaissance missions against the Russian military, Nunn served as an election monitor for the U.S. Department of State a few years ago. Based on his experiences, Nunn is not surprised by Russia’s attacks on Ukraine.

“This has been an ongoing, violent campaign against the Ukrainian people, ostensibly since 2014 when they took over Crimea,” he said. “But even historically this has been how Russia has treated Ukraine. The mass famine in the ‘50s when it was apart of the Soviet Union. Even before that.”

When Nunn served as an election monitor, he visited eastern Ukraine in a region occupied by “so-called Russian separatists” and claimed he witnessed people attacking others who went to vote. Cars were vandalized in parking lots. On the morning of the election, separatists buried landmines around the polling places.

“One of the most inspiring things I saw was there was little old ladies … who made a commitment to go to the polling place and vote despite the fact they had to cross this landmine-ridden field to get into the village,” Nunn said. “I think it reflects the fact they knew what life was like under the Soviet Union.”

To Nunn, that moment also reflects the “steely spirit” of the Ukrainian people, which is prevalent even now in the midst of war.

Although Nunn believes the United States should not be fighting wars for other people, Americans do want to stand for democracies of sovereign nations “who are willing to stand up and fight for themselves against the type of autocratic regime that Russia has perpetrated in.” Iowa clearly stands with Ukraine.

“We’re willing to stand by fellow democracies trying to help defend their homeland,” Nunn said.

Providing lifesaving materials to Ukraine is invaluable. If the helmets or vests saving one life, that is a life worth saving for a country that is attempting to protect itself. Iowa and Ukraine have a very intertwined destiny, Nunn added. Apart from their sister state and city relations, both are agrarian regions.

After the Russians attacked the airfields in Ukraine, the second target was the fertilizer factories in Ukraine, Nunn claimed. Ukraine is a large producer of fertilizer for all of Europe, meaning less fertilizer for planting seasons in Europe and possibly less yields. It will also drive up costs throughout the world.

While commodity prices might temporarily get better, Nunn said there is going to be a higher demand across the globe. Other Iowa legislators see the benefit of helping Ukraine, resulting in a resolution affirming the state’s commitment to its relationship with the country and its efforts to remain independent.

At a March 30 press conference, Reynolds said Iowans will have other chances to help Ukraine but working with Meals from the Heartland in West Des Moines to address immediate food supply needs in Iowa’s sister state of Cherkasy. In Newton, volunteers have already begun raising money for Ukraine.

The Organization Promoting Everlasting Neighbors (OPEN) supported its sister city of Smila, Ukraine, with a pasta dinner fundraiser on March 31 at the First Lutheran Church in Newton. Organizers estimate 250 citizens attended. Cash and check donations amounted to about $7,000 raised for Ukraine.

Contact Christopher Braunschweig at 641-792-3121 ext. 6560 or cbraunschweig@newtondailynews.com