Staff report
MIAMI VALLEY — Many leaders in the United States and around the globe are condemning the decision by Russian President Vladimir Putin to commence hostilities with Ukraine.
Both of Ohio’s U.S. Senators — Rob Portman (R) and Sherrod Brown (D) — issued statements harshly criticizing the Russian invasion.
“The events of the past 24 hours are tragic for the people of Ukraine and the democratic world order that has kept the peace in Europe for more than 80 years. Russia’s actions are an illegal, unjustifiable assault on Ukraine. This unwarranted brutality will kill thousands of innocent people and create a massive humanitarian crisis. President Putin’s justification for this attack, to ‘de-Nazify’ Ukraine, along with his comments about the illegitimacy of the sovereign nations of Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland, is cause for further alarm,” said Portman.
“The United States should lead the international community to hold Russia accountable for this tragedy,” he added.
Brown said Russia’s attack is “an affront to freedom and democracy the world over.”
“This attack will be met with united, decisive action by the United States and our allies. Vladimir Putin chose war, he is unleashing senseless death and destruction on the Ukrainian people, and he will face the consequences,” said Brown. “President Biden has made it clear the U.S. and our allies and partners will impose the strongest sanctions Russia has ever seen, and I will work with the Biden Administration to implement them against Russian officials and oligarchs who prop up Putin’s regime. Now is not the moment for partisan division — Americans stand united with all our NATO allies, and we pray for the people of Ukraine.”
On Friday, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz issued a bipartisan response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. DeWine and Walz serve as co-chairs of the presidentially-appointed Council of Governors. Both governors are committed to working with leaders at the federal level and across the nation and world to stand against Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
“At the direction of President Vladimir Putin, Russian forces have invaded Ukraine in violation of international law. This is unacceptable, and all freedom-loving people should stand against this unprovoked invasion,” said DeWine. “Ukraine has been a sovereign and independent state since the collapse of the former Soviet Union in the 1990s. The United States and Ukraine share common values including freedom, democracy, and the rule of law. Our thoughts are with the Ukrainian people.”
“We stand with Ukraine and condemn Russia for these unprovoked and unlawful attacks,” said Walz. “We stand ready to support the federal government in guiding our nation through this violent time, and I am committed to standing together with leaders at all levels of government, regardless of political party, to work towards peace. It’s time to unite, protect democracy, and work together to end this violence and hold Russia accountable.”
The President’s bipartisan Council of Governors serves as a forum for governors to exchange views, information, or advice with the Secretary of Defense, Secretary of Homeland Security, and the White House Homeland Security Council on matters related to the National Guard, homeland defense, civil support, and other matters of mutual interest.
