Senate Passes Resolution Co-Sponsored by Collins, King to Condemn Russia’s Unprovoked Attacks on Ukraine

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King applauded the Senate’s unanimous passage of a bipartisan resolution they co-sponsored condemning Russia’s unprovoked, heinous attacks on Ukraine. The resolution forcefully condemns Russian President Vladimir Putin for flagrantly violating Ukrainian sovereignty and committing atrocities rising to the level of war crimes, and calls on the International Criminal Court to investigate Putin’s actions.

“The world has watched in horror as Putin has used brute military force in an attempt to subjugate the peaceful country of Ukraine, killing countless innocent civilians in his path,” said Senator Collins. “The resilience and determination of the Ukrainian people who are standing up to this ruthless autocrat to defend their democracy and their freedom are inspiring, but they need our continued support. As we continue to assist the Ukrainians through the supply of weapons and humanitarian aid as well as the imposition of sanctions, this resolution calls for holding Putin accountable for the war crimes he has committed and will help put more pressure on Russia to bring an end to this terrible war.” 

“Vladimir Putin’s heinous attack on a sovereign nation has ended decades of peace among the nations of Europe and created immense suffering across Ukraine and Russia,” said Senator King. “His thinly veiled attempt to reconstitute the Soviet Union is destroying two counties by single-handedly devastating the Russian economy and inflicting needless brutality on the Ukrainian people. As Putin’s grand ambitions stall, it’s clear he is ramping up his illegal assault, attacking innocent civilians, and willfully committing atrocities against Ukraine’s most vulnerable. The United States and our partners across the free world stand with the Ukrainian people and their brave leaders against these atrocities. This bipartisan resolution reaffirmed that commitment; together, we will continue to ensure that Russia feels the harsh consequences of Putin’s unprovoked invasion.”

Senators Collins and King, both members of the Senate Intelligence Committee, have forcefully condemned Russia’s attacks on Ukrainian sovereignty. Before Russia began its military operation, they cosponsored a resolution supporting the American partner in the face of Russian aggression and called for maximum intelligence sharing with Ukrainian officials. They also recently participated in a virtual conversation on the escalating threat posed by Russia in Eastern Europe with Ambassadors from Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland. 

Text of the resolution is available here.

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