On Thursday morning, I became the first sitting U.S. governor to visit Ukraine since Russia’s 2022 invasion. Some may wonder why, especially my fellow Republicans, as overseas engagements can be politically sensitive.
My main goal was to sign Indiana’s new partnership agreement with Ukraine’s Zhytomyr Oblast, focusing on academic, cultural, and economic ties. Indiana, known for its strengths in agriculture, education, and manufacturing, shares much in common with Zhytomyr, and we look forward to years of fruitful cooperation. I also had the honor of meeting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and other officials.
But beyond the practical, my larger goal is building community — economically and otherwise — between Indiana, America, and Ukraine. This is in our shared interest and should be understandable, even during an election season.
Yes, the U.S. and its allies have provided Ukraine with financial and military support. But the Ukrainian people have shown incredible determination, turning a war that seemed unwinnable into the possibility of victory. Their innovation has been remarkable.
For instance, Ukrainian startups and hackers have developed drone swarms for military use. Many citizens have learned remote piloting, and these drones helped block Russia’s path to early victory.
Ukraine’s success shows it’s possible to win against Russia’s largest invasion since World War II. Ukrainian entrepreneurs and engineers have quickly gained expertise in cutting-edge fields like AI, autonomous systems, encryption, and clean energy. Indiana hopes that by engaging with Ukraine today, we’ll lead in future trade and investment with these talented partners.
Indiana stands out for understanding the value of overseas engagement. According to the Truman Center for National Policy, no state has had more international engagements than Indiana in the past eight years. This has led to investments and job creation. Last year alone, $20 billion in investments came to Indiana from abroad, creating thousands of jobs. Isolationism hurts us economically.
Building global connections goes beyond self-interest. I believe in including Ukraine in a global community that shares democratic values and opposes authoritarianism. The larger and more advanced this community is, the less likely we are to face future wars.
States like Indiana play a bigger role in foreign affairs than many realize. The Indiana National Guard has partnered with Slovakia’s armed forces for 30 years, even deploying together in Afghanistan. Hoosier pilots are now helping Slovakia transition to U.S.-made F-16s, as Slovakia has provided older fighters to Ukraine. This is another reason why President Zelenskyy will remember Indiana.
It’s counterproductive for U.S. state leaders to ignore global affairs. Governors can bring great benefits to their states through international engagement, serving as extensions of America’s efforts to promote peace and prosperity.
Eric J. Holcomb is the governor of Indiana. This column originally appeared in The Indianapolis Star.