Alaska’s two U.S. Senators are condemning Russia’s attack on Ukraine. Russian troops have been attacking across the country’s borders since Russian troops were instructed to invade. Troops initially attacked the border from Belarus, north of the capital of Kyiv, with Belarusian support. Officials in Ukraine say the attacks are targeting border forces and several eastern and northern checkpoints are with artillery, heavy equipment, and small arms.
U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan issued the following statement on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine:
“We need to fully understand the broader implications of this invasion of Ukraine. We have entered a new era of authoritarian aggression, led by Russia and China’s dictators, who are increasingly isolated and dangerous, driven by historical grievances, paranoid about their democratic neighbors, and willing to use military force and other aggressive actions to crush the citizens of such countries. These dangerous dictators—Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping—are increasingly working together to achieve their aggressive goals.”
“We must wake up to the fact that this new era of authoritarian aggression will likely be with us for decades. We need to face it with strategic resolve and confidence. The United States has extraordinary advantages relative to the dictatorships of Russia and China, if we are wise enough to utilize and strengthen them: our global network of allies, our lethal military, our world-class supplies of energy and other natural resources, our dynamic economy, and most important, our democratic values and commitment to liberty. Xi and Putin’s biggest weakness and vulnerability is that they fear their own people. We should remember and exploit this in the months and years ahead.”
Sen. Sullivan spent the last week meeting with key allies in Munich, Brussels, and London.
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski released the following statement:
“Tonight, our worst fears in this crisis have been realized: Russia has invaded Ukraine and is committing acts of war against an innocent people. This unprovoked action has no place in the 21st century. It is a grievous violation of international law and longstanding norms. And I fear it will lead to massive devastation and a catastrophic loss of lives.
“This invasion came with a clear view, formed over the course of years and only reinforced in recent months, that the West is divided and will not make Russia pay for its actions. Now we must prove Vladimir Putin and his regime wrong, and hold them accountable for their aggressions. America must remain steadfast to our allies, and the world must quickly unite around severe sanctions and penalties to punish Russia for its crimes. Above all, we pray for the Ukrainian people. We know they are strong and brave, and will face this brutal tyranny with true courage.”
Additionally, amid escalating situation between Russia and Ukraine, Congressman Don Young, earlier this week, introduced legislation to ban Russian seafood imports. H.R. 6821 would prohibit the importation of seafood and seafood products from the Russian Federation. The bill would impose a ban on all Russian seafood imports as Russia implemented a ban on American seafood in 2014.
Congressman Young said in a statement:
“Russia’s one-sided seafood bans have allowed Putin to thrive with great cost to Alaskan fishermen, processors, and others in the fishing industry. This situation has been imbalanced in Putin’s favor for far too long. I am proud to introduce legislation to reciprocate Russia’s commercial aggression. I continue advocating for widespread sanctions on Russia, and my bill takes needed action to implement restrictions on this specific trade sector. I will continue pushing for my bill to become law, either on its own or as part of a broader sanctions package. In the meantime, I call on President Biden and his Administration to stand strong with Ukraine and the western world as we push back against Putin and his allies.”
Click here for the latest developments from ABC News on Russia and Ukraine.
