Rep. Calvert Statement on Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine

Today, Congressman Ken Calvert (CA-42) issued the following statement on Russia's invasion of Ukraine:

"The world is once again witnessing the Ukrainian people suffer because Vladimir Putin dreams of reuniting the USSR. Beginning in late 2021, Putin began amassing troops and a formidable arsenal along their shared border. Now, a Russian invasion is underway in the sovereign nation of Ukraine. While Putin peddles illegitimate claims for this incursion, the truth is Putin ultimately seeks to restore the USSR in all the former Soviet nations. Today, we must make it clear that the post-Soviet states, including Ukraine, have the right to develop as free and open democracies.

Looking beyond the current disaster in the Ukraine, a lack of robust U.S. response and leadership will undoubtedly signal to China that Taiwan is theirs for the taking. They have been patiently waiting for an opportunity to reunite what they see as their rightful territory and I fear that they may see this as their moment. Right now, China is flexing their might as they continue to invade Taiwan's airspace. North Korea continues to conduct missile tests and Iran's Houthi proxies have escalated tensions with missile attacks against Saudi Arabia and the UAE.

The global order that has survived for over 75 years is unraveling under this inept president. Joe Biden has a 100% record of being wrong on every major foreign policy issue for almost 50 years. While this is not a surprise to anyone, people are now suffering because of preventable disaster. When the world's lone superpower steps away from the stage, and "leads from behind" we open every opportunity to authoritarian regimes to fill that void.

Republicans in the House offer our unwavering support to the sovereign nation of Ukraine and urge the White House to do anything possible to support the people of that nation against authoritarian incursions. We support continued efforts to increase the resiliency of the Ukraine government and military which includes lethal and nonlethal aid, as well as diplomatic support. The U.S. should work to ensure our European allies also have energy supplies as an alternative to those provided by Russia. The United States, and our allies, must also impose a heavy price on Russia for its aggression. Those actions should include severe economic sanctions, travel restrictions on Russian oligarchs and their families, and a blocking of the Nord Stream 2 project. Russia will only respond to strength – now is not the time to be timid."

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