Updated Shaheen Statement on Ukraine-Russia Crisis & Biden's Address

(Washington, DC) – U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Europe and Regional Security Cooperation and a senior member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, issued the following statement on Russia's invasion of Ukraine and in response to President Biden's announcement this afternoon:

“With air raid sirens wailing in the distance, the world watched in horror as Putin launched an unprovoked, deadly invasion across Ukraine. My heart goes out to the innocent Ukrainian civilians suffering at the hands of the Kremlin’s unprovoked violence. I commend the brave Ukrainians fighting to defend their country’s freedom and future – the free world stands with you. I appreciate President Biden’s swift response, first directly to President Zelenskyy in the aftermath of Putin’s barrage of violence, and today in coordination with our allies to inflict additional economic consequences on Putin and those responsible for these crimes against a free and sovereign nation,” said Shaheen. “Congress must swiftly resume working in concert with the administration and our allies to provide robust military assistance and support to the Ukrainian people, in addition to severe sanctions to impose the most significant financial damage to Putin to date. Make no mistake: Putin instigated a war so he can fulfill his delusional fantasy of rebuilding the Soviet Union. The West and transatlantic alliance must make it perfectly clear to Putin and any criminal who stands by his side that he cannot rewrite history. The world is watching how we respond to this crisis – the international community must defend our values and international order by punishing Putin for his crimes.”

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