Montana congressional delegation responds to Russian invasion of Ukraine

Montana’s congressional delegation released statements condemning Russia’s military invasion of Ukraine Thursday morning.

Russian President Vladimir Putin declared war on Ukraine on Wednesday, with explosions reported in cities throughout the country.

Putin has the goal of overtaking the Ukrainian government and installing a Kremlin-backed one, according to a senior U.S. military official who was not authorized to speak publicly as reported in USA Today. The invasion is the largest in Europe since World War II, the official said. The fighting has the potential to be very bloody and very costly.

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U.S. Sen. Jon Tester, Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, said 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,” said Tester in a statement Thursday. “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.”

U.S. Sen. Steve Daines said he is praying for the people of Ukraine and that he condemns Putin’s attack on their sovereignty and independence, while also criticizing President Joe Biden’s international diplomacy.

“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,” 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.”

Biden has so far implemented severe sanctions on Russia and is expected to announce a new round of sanctions that White House officials have cast as unprecedented. They could include targeting more Russian banks beyond the two already hit and imposing export controls to deprive Russia of technologies it needs to grow its high-tech industry.

White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said Wednesday that the President has no intention of sending troops to Ukraine and that he will do “going to do everything he can to reduce the impact on energy costs for the American people.”

The President is scheduled to consult with America’s most powerful allies Thursday morning before addressing the nation in the afternoon on a coordinated response.

U.S. Rep. Matt Rosendale signed a letter Tuesday addressed to Biden citing the requirement outlined in the U.S. Constitution and the War Powers Resolution that he must seek authorization from Congress before launching military attacks.

The letter was signed by members of both parties, including Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) and Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.). The letter was shared on Twitter by Rep. Peter DeFazio (D-Ore.).

Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte also released a statement in support of Ukraine and called for sanctions against Russia.

“Putin’s unprovoked invasion of the sovereign, democratic Ukraine is an egregious act of war," Gianforte said in a statement. "Montana stands with the freedom-loving people of Ukraine and continues to pray for their safety. The United States and our democratic allies should respond immediately with sweeping, strict, comprehensive sanctions against Russia.”

This article originally appeared on Great Falls Tribune: Montana congressional delegation condemns Russian invasion of Ukraine