Risch, Inhofe, McCaul, Rogers Urge Administration to Strongly Push Back on Russian Aggression and Increase Deterrence in Europe

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Jim Risch (R-Idaho), ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, and U.S. Representatives Michael McCaul (R-Texas), ranking member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, and Mike Rogers (R-Ala.), ranking member of the House Armed Services Committee, released a statement following talks between NATO and Russia on the situation in Ukraine:

“So far, the Biden Administration’s strategy for Russia has been nothing more than a campaign of appeasement – much to the dismay of our allies. The Biden Administration has yet to impose a single meaningful sanction against Russia and paved the way for the completion of Nord Stream 2, a malign geopolitical project run by a Putin crony. Meanwhile, Putin has continued to stoke instability in Eastern Europe by illegally occupying Crimea, providing cover and supplies to Russia-backed separatists in Donbas, continuing cyber-attacks against Kyiv, ordering an ongoing assassination campaign throughout Europe, and weaponizing migration and energy.

“The world needs the Biden Administration to do what they should have done months ago: demonstrate that deterrence comes from strength and that to support Ukraine’s sovereignty you must provide tangible support to its defense and interests. We should impose sanctions on Nord Stream 2 now and immediately provide additional lethal aid to Ukraine, including anti-air and anti-ship weapon systems, as well as reinforce the Eastern flank of NATO. Additionally, it would be a mistake by this administration to incentivize Putin’s bad behavior with front-loaded unilateral capitulations like a missile deployment moratorium or a reduction in exercises.

“We urge you, Mr. President, to steel your resolve and back our allies and partners in Eastern Europe before Russia invades, not after.”

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