Over the past 24 hours, Vladimir Putin’s intentions toward Ukraine have become clearer with his announcement yesterday that he was recognizing two eastern (separatist influenced) Ukrainian regions (Luhansk and Donetsk) as independent breakaway republics. Putin has already sent forces there. Approximately 150,000 Russian troops are massed on the Russian and Belarus borders with Ukraine.
Mr. Putin also confirmed his desire to reincorporate Ukraine (or at least have a friendly government with close ties) into Russia.
The Biden/Harris Administration and its N.A.T.O. allies have reacted with sanctions against Russia and the two Ukrainian breakaway regions. The Germans have cut off certifying the Nord Stream Two Pipeline. The western allies continue to send aid to Ukraine and have shifted forces to Poland and the Baltic States (N.A.T.O.) members.
Please watch President Biden’s comments to the nation earlier today.
It is gratifying to have a President that will stand up to Putin instead of of a fifth columnist-Vichy ex Chief Executive (Mr. Trump) who called Putin’s moves into Ukraine “genius” and said that the situation would be different if the 2020 election had not been rigged against him.
As Jennifer Rubin put so well in her latest Washington Post column deriding Mr. Trump’s latest remarks: “so much for America First.”
Most of Arizona’s Democratic Congressional Delegation has posted statements on social media supporting the stance of the Biden/Harris Administration toward Russia.
Senator and Naval Aviator/Astronaut Mark Kelly posted:
I have supported and will continue to support providing Ukraine with weapons and equipment to defend themselves against further Russian invasion, and will keep working with my colleagues and this administration to defend Ukrainian sovereignty.
— Senator Mark Kelly (@SenMarkKelly) February 22, 2022
CD-7 Representative and Iraq War Veteran Ruben Gallego issued several posts on social media including:
Now, with an autocratic leader determined to chase his nostalgic memories of the USSR’s past, Russia’s actions will change European security in the most significant way since the end of World War II. (2/8)
— Ruben Gallego (@RepRubenGallego) February 22, 2022
Putin must experience swift and serious consequences for his actions including crippling sanctions against Russia, its banks, and its leaders—and @POTUS's actions today will do just that. (4/8)
— Ruben Gallego (@RepRubenGallego) February 22, 2022
Additionally, we must continue arming Ukraine with the weapons to defend themselves, support our NATO allies, and help neighboring countries manage the potential flow of refugees across their borders. (6/8)
— Ruben Gallego (@RepRubenGallego) February 22, 2022
I will do all I can to continue engaging my colleagues in Congress, counterparts in the White House, partners in Ukraine, and allies in NATO to ensure the Kremlin immediately regrets its reckless and despicable actions. (8/8)
— Ruben Gallego (@RepRubenGallego) February 22, 2022
Current CD-1 Representative Thomas O’Halleran issued a statement, writing:
“I am horrified by the actions of Russian President Vladimir Putin in invading the Luhansk and Donetsk regions. The United States and its Allies must move swiftly and immediately with the strongest of sanctions against Russia. Any aggressive actions taken by Russian separatists in the Donbas should be looked upon as an attack by the Kremlin against a sovereign nation and further violation of the Minsk agreements and international law. We must support Ukraine economically and continue to defend its democracy, as we have done for decades. This conflict could very well lead to countless deaths of women, children, and Ukrainian families, and the sanctity of democracies in Eastern Europe and around the world. I pray that ceasefire comes quickly.”
CD-9 Representative and former Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton posted:
Putin’s invasion of Ukraine must be met with swift and severe consequences—his continued aggression aimed at upending the post-Cold War order in Europe cannot stand.
I expect the Biden Administration to impose punishing sanctions tomorrow, and it will have my full support.
— Rep. Greg Stanton (@RepGregStanton) February 22, 2022
New Congressional One District Candidate Ginger Sykes Torres issued a statement that read:
“Like many Arizonans in Congressional District 1, I am troubled by the events occurring in Europe. The United States should continue to work together with the international community to exhaust all diplomatic options as they pertain to the threat of Russian aggression against Ukraine. However, diplomacy must be matched with the promise of swift deterrence through economic sanctions, weapons distribution to Ukraine, and immense pressure from the international community. Above all else, protecting the lives of innocent civilians is paramount.
“In Congress, I would commit to ongoing crippling sanctions against Russia, members of its government, and Vladimir Putin if necessary. I will always vote to hold any foreign power in check that seeks to disrupt the sovereignty of a democratic nation. This cannot be a partisan issue.
“We must make clear to the world that the United States and our allies will not tolerate a regression to the short-sighted 20th-century conquests that resulted in two World Wars and global instability. There must always be consequences for the international community’s bad actors. In Congress, I will live by that creed every moment I serve.”
Ukraine must not become the next Czechoslovakia. Those two breakaway republics, if at all possible, must not be allowed to become the next Sudetenland.
Furthermore, the United States and the west have to take their stand and show unified strength here (via massive sanctions and isolating Russia)or Mr. Putin may eventually eye the Baltic States (that are N.A.T.O. members) next to pull back into the old Imperial and Soviet Russian orbits.
Do not repeat the mistakes of Britain and France toward Italy and Germany in the 1930’s.
Everyone knows how that worked out.
The Democratic Nations need to show again that collective security has a backbone.
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