Montana's leaders weigh in on Russian invasion of Ukraine
Montana’s two U.S. Senators weighed in on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine Thursday.
“I’m praying for the people of Ukraine and condemn Putin’s outrageous attack on their sovereignty and independence. Putin is a thug, and he has been empowered and emboldened by Biden’s disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan and his approval of Russia’s Nord Stream 2 pipeline while killing America’s Keystone XL pipeline,” Republican Steve Daines said. “The skyrocketing price of oil and resulting inflation are stark reminders of the importance of increasing, not decreasing, made in America energy. I do not support sending American troops to Ukraine.”
Democrat Sen. Jon Tester said it was the biggest land grab since World War II and unacceptable.
“Vladimir Putin single-handedly started an unprovoked war that makes the world less safe. I stand in solidarity with the people of Ukraine and with every freedom-loving democracy in condemning Russia’s illegal military actions. The United States will continue to support the security and stability of our NATO and European allies in the face of these acts of war,” he said.
Speaking to reporters Wednesday before the onslaught, Tester said he supported stiff sanctions against Russia, though he doubted we would see U.S. air strikes or a ground battle against Russian troops unless Russia attacks a NATO country.
Montana Congressman Matt Rosendale also offered a statement.
"Now that Russia has begun their invasion of Ukraine, cries from war hawks on both sides of the aisle continue to grow louder to spill American blood and treasure in this conflict. We must resist these calls and put America first. The United States has no legal or moral obligation to come to the aid of either side in this foreign conflict," said Rosendale. "In talking to folks across Montana, they are much more concerned with stopping the invasion taking place in our country by millions of illegal aliens then they are the invasion of an Eastern European country halfway across the world. It is our obligation to secure our nation and put the American people first, not send our sons and daughters to die overseas in a conflict that does not serve our national interests."
Russian troops invaded Ukraine on multiple fronts Thursday.
“Ukraine is not a threat to Russia,” Tester said Wednesday. “This shows how unstable (Putin) really is.”
President Biden called the Russian action “a premeditated war,” the Washington Post reported.
It came shortly after Russian President Vladimir Putin declared on state television that Russia was beginning a military operation for the “demilitarization and denazification” of eastern Ukraine. He said that Russia did not intend to occupy the country, the Post reported.