WASHINGTON — Pennsylvania’s senators voiced support for the Ukrainian people and for sanctions against Russia following President Vladimir Putin’s invasion of the Ukraine.
U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pa., said, “President Putin’s invasion of Ukraine is an aggressive escalation in his efforts to upend international order, undermine democracy and amass power at all costs.
“For years, Putin and his government have perpetuated hostile attacks against Ukraine and the international community, from the annexation of Crimea to sponsoring militant groups including those responsible for the deliberate downing of Malaysian Airlines flight 17 to interfering in U.S. elections,” Casey said.
Former President Donald Trump called Putin’s actions “genius,” which Casey called disturbing.
“Putin has been emboldened by the former president, from his disturbing comments in Helsinki to his approval of the invasion earlier this week. This invasion is a clear violation of international law and it’s never been more important for democratic leaders to stand together in the face of Putin’s aggression,” Casey said. “President Biden and international leaders have acted swiftly to impose financial sanctions and will continue to respond with major consequences for Putin’s incendiary actions.”
U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey, R-Pa., spoke of sanctions as well, calling the events “simply Putin’s latest effort to degrade Ukraine’s sovereignty and turn it into a vassal state. This war Russia is choosing to wage will create a humanitarian crisis in Europe with millions of displaced Ukrainians.
“The United States and our allies must aim to stop this war before the damage escalates further by imposing harsh sanctions on Russia to ensure Putin understands there will be a crippling cost to his abuses,” Toomey said on Tuesday. “The NYET Act—which Senator Risch and I introduced last week—would make Putin feel the consequences of his invasion of Ukraine by imposing secondary sanctions on Russian financial institutions. I urge the Senate to take up this legislation as soon as we return next week.”
On Wednesday, Toomey said via social media, “With Russian troops already invading Ukraine and preparing for a much larger assault, these sanctions are unlikely to have a deterrent effect. Only bold steps can deter Putin from further escalating this war, which is why it’s imperative that the U.S. imposes crippling sanctions on Russia’s financial sector to make them feel the impact of this invasion. Lives are in the balance, and the U.S. must act quickly.”
Casey spoke of the need for the U.S. to support its allies.
“This invasion highlights the need to continue to strengthen the global alliance of democracies, including NATO, against authoritarianism and those regimes blatantly violating the international rules-based order and basic principles of sovereignty,” the Democratic senator said. “The United States stands by the Ukrainian people and we will work with our allies to support their needs. Our first priority is the safety and security of the American people, especially American troops and Americans in Ukraine, but we will do all that we can to support the Ukrainian people in the face of President Putin’s unprovoked attack.”
He added, “My thoughts and prayers are with the Ukrainian people as they face an unprovoked invasion and the consequences that will bring — from the dire impacts to their economy to the lives lost and families destroyed.”
