NEW YORK (1010 WINS) — Former New York Republican Gov. George Pataki will lead a delegation to Hungary to provide humanitarian aid to 200,000 Ukrainian refugees who have fled there from their war-torn country following Russia's invasion.
The three-term governor, whose paternal grandparents were from Hungary, told The New York Post he would visit the Ukraine-Hungary border town of Kisvárda when he lands in Budapest on Thursday.
"We have money, food, clothing and medical supplies we can deliver," he said.
Pataki told the Post that he expects to meet with Hungarian officials as well as Cardinal Peter Erdo, the country's Catholic leader.
The 76-year-old, who oversaw New York's recovery after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, will make his announcement at 2 p.m. Wednesday at the Consulate General of Ukraine in Midtown East through his Pataki Leadership Center non-profit.
Earle Mack, a former Ambassador to Finland, and industrialist Peter Brant will be among his delegation members, according to a press release.
"We want to assess what it’s like at the border and fill any holes so the refugees are getting the help they need. I think it’s crucial to be there," he told the Post.