WASHINGTON, DC – Representative Adam Smith (D-Wash.), Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, today released the following statement after Russia announced the recognition of two regions of Ukraine as “independent” and that the Russian military is being sent into Ukraine under the pretext of peacekeeping.
“Russia’s blatant assault on the freedom and security of Ukraine, a sovereign and independent country, must end immediately. I join with President Biden and other leaders around the world in condemning Moscow’s actions, which follows Russia’s illegal annexation of Crimea in 2014 and support for a violent separatist movement in eastern Ukraine ever since. Make no mistake: ultimate blame for this crisis lies squarely at the feet of Vladimir Putin, and he must be held accountable. I welcome the announcement of an Executive Order to impose sanctions in response.
“We know that Putin seeks to expand Russia’s sphere of influence in Eastern Europe, and we know that he sees violence, threats, disinformation, and division as legitimate tools in pursuit of that aim. He will not succeed, and the result of Putin’s escalatory actions will only bring the United States, NATO, and the democratic countries of Eastern Europe even closer together in opposition to what he has done.
“Holding Putin and the Russian government accountable requires drawing on the economic might of the United States, in coordination with our allies and partners in Europe and elsewhere, and standing resolutely with our allies against any further aggression. We must also continue to expose Russian assaults on our shared values in international bodies and diplomatic settings like the United Nations and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). Where Vladimir Putin seeks lies and division, the United States must respond by declaring the truth about his actions against Ukraine, taking effective and coherent action to hold him accountable, and doing so alongside our allies and partners.”
“Russia’s blatant assault on the freedom and security of Ukraine, a sovereign and independent country, must end immediately. I join with President Biden and other leaders around the world in condemning Moscow’s actions, which follows Russia’s illegal annexation of Crimea in 2014 and support for a violent separatist movement in eastern Ukraine ever since. Make no mistake: ultimate blame for this crisis lies squarely at the feet of Vladimir Putin, and he must be held accountable. I welcome the announcement of an Executive Order to impose sanctions in response.
“We know that Putin seeks to expand Russia’s sphere of influence in Eastern Europe, and we know that he sees violence, threats, disinformation, and division as legitimate tools in pursuit of that aim. He will not succeed, and the result of Putin’s escalatory actions will only bring the United States, NATO, and the democratic countries of Eastern Europe even closer together in opposition to what he has done.
“Holding Putin and the Russian government accountable requires drawing on the economic might of the United States, in coordination with our allies and partners in Europe and elsewhere, and standing resolutely with our allies against any further aggression. We must also continue to expose Russian assaults on our shared values in international bodies and diplomatic settings like the United Nations and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). Where Vladimir Putin seeks lies and division, the United States must respond by declaring the truth about his actions against Ukraine, taking effective and coherent action to hold him accountable, and doing so alongside our allies and partners.”
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