Congressman Calls For U.S. To Send ‘Clear Message’ After Russian Troops Enter Ukraine

Hours after Russian tanks rolled into two breakaway sections of eastern Ukraine with it being unknown if they would invade the rest of the European nation, Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick commented on the situation.

Fitzpatrick, a third-term Republican from Middletown Township, has been a strong supporter of Ukraine and its independence during his time in office.

Below is Fitzpatrick’s statement that was sent to reporters Tuesday afternoon:

“Putin’s recognition of separatist breakaway regions in Eastern Ukraine is a provocative escalation of Russia’s ongoing, unprovoked aggression against Ukraine. Putin has made his intentions clear and has acted upon them. Just as Russia illegally occupied and annexed Crimea eight years ago, Putin’s latest actions are a continuation of the Russian invasion of Ukraine’s sovereign territory. Putin’s decision to send Russian troops, tanks, and equipment into Eastern Ukraine under the guise of ‘peacekeeping’ is an act of war that directly violates the Minsk Protocol and removes all doubt that Russia seeks a diplomatic path forward.

“As we have done before with other rogue powers, it is time for the United States to send a clear message: if Russia insists on directly violating the sovereignty of another state and jeopardizing global security, there will be severe and sweeping economic consequences. President Biden’s strategy of restraint and ‘invasion first, sanctions later’ is no longer an effective means of deterring Putin’s aggression and imminent full-scale invasion of Ukraine. No more half-measures. We need to impose immediate, crippling sanctions that strike at the heart of Putin’s corrupt regime and the Russian economy, bring about a permanent end to the Nord Stream 2 pipeline, and remove Russia from the SWIFT international banking and payments system.

“In keeping with our commitments, the United States and our global allies must ensure the safety and security of our partner Ukraine, and I look forward to working with the Administration and my colleagues in Congress in the days ahead to see this through. The world is watching, and the time to act is now.”

Fitzpatrick is co-chair of the Congressional Ukraine Caucus and a ranking member of the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee’s Subcommittee on Europe, Energy, Environment, and Cyber.

Prior to running for office, Fitzpatrick, then an FBI special agent, served on an anti-corruption unit detailed to train prosecutors in Ukraine. He also took part in some investigations for about four months in 2015 before he retired from the FBI to run for Congress.

The Russian move Tuesday into parts of Ukraine happened after Russian President Vladimir Putin made a speech airing grievances over Ukraine and the loss of Russian influence in the post-World War II and post-Cold War world order.

Russian lawmakers voted to allow Putin to use military force outside of the nation on Wednesday.

America and allied nations have raised worries for weeks over a Russian military buildup along its border with Ukraine, which was previously part of the USSR but has since become a sovereign country.

During the course of the geopolitical standoff, allied nations have warned Russia of financial sanctions if they invade Ukraine.

President Joe Biden said no American troops would be involved in fighting.

In 2014, Russia and pro-Russian forces overtook parts of Crimea and parts of the Donbas regions in Ukraine. Parts of those areas have been held by Russian-alligned groups since that time and there has been conflict.

Presidents Barack Obama, Donald Trump, and Biden have authorized supplies and training for Ukrainian military forces. Trump and Biden allowed aid of lethal military weapons. Other nations have also aided Ukraine.

Biden’s administration implemented some financial sanctions following’s Tuesday’s push by Russian forces into Ukraine, while Germany has halted certification of a natural gas pipeline from Russian into its borders.

American and other allied nations have threatened even harsher sanctions against Russia if they invade the rest of Ukraine.

Fitzpatrick recently said he supported sanctions against Russia.

Further war in the region is expected to have implications around the globe, including to energy prices.

“Putin said the crisis could be resolved if Kyiv recognizes Russia’s sovereignty over Crimea, the Black Sea peninsula that Moscow annexed from Ukraine in 2014, renounces its bid to join NATO and partially demilitarizes,” the Associated Press reported Wednesday.

“The bottom line is this: The United States and our Allies and partners will support the Ukrainian people.  We will hold Russia accountable for its actions.  The West is united and resolved.  We’re ready to impose severe sanctions on Russia if it further invades Ukraine,” Biden said last week.

“But I say again: Russia can still choose diplomacy.  It is not too late to de-escalate and return to the negotiating table.”

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