The top Republican on the House Intelligence Committee warned that the Russian invasion into Ukraine is a threat to the U.S. and that the United States must become involved if nearby NATO ally countries are attacked.
According to Representative Mike Turner, a Republican from Ohio, “What we’re seeing is that Russia under [Russian President Vladimir] Putin’s leadership, has invaded a validly elected democracy, an independent nation, violating international law.
Turned continued, “It’s a threat to Europe and a threat to our NATO allies and therefore to the United States.”
Russia recently invaded Ukraine after amassing troops for months and are working their way to Kyiv amidst intense opposition from the Ukrainian military and civilians.
For his part, Putin “has openly stated that his goal is to reunite the geographical territory of the Soviet Union, and we should believe him,” said Turner. “I don’t think U.S. troops should be engaged directly, but we do play a role here that is very important.”
During President Biden’s 2020 presidential campaign, one promise he ran on was standing up to Russia.
He tweeted, “Vladimir Putin doesn’t want me to be President. He doesn’t want me to be our nominee. If you’re wondering why — it’s because I’m the only person in this field who’s ever gone toe-to-toe with him.”
Putin openly threatens U.S., says Turner
“Vladimir Putin has very openly threatened the West and the United States. He specifically included in his exercises leading up to invading Ukraine a nuclear weapons exercise, which of course places the United States, our cities, at risk,” said Rep. Turner.
“Whenever you have a leader of a nation violating international law and openly threatening the world with weapons of mass destruction, we are entering a very difficult and very dangerous time,” Turner continued.
The current Russian invasion of Ukraine marks the second time Putin invaded Ukraine with Biden in a top leadership position. The Russian President was previously sanctioned after annexing Crimea in 2014 when Biden was former President Obama’s vice president.
“The Obama administration did not rise to that occasion after Crimea was invaded and annexed into Russia,” Turner explained. Putin “sees an opportunity to be able to do this at the least cost,” due to the Biden administration’s shown “weakness” during the Afghanistan withdrawal.
Additionally, Turner says the administration has sent “mixed messages with respect to Ukraine itself.”
Turner noted that Biden and his administration are sending “mixed messages with respect to Ukraine itself.” Turner also stated that Putin is likely to have considered the Obama administration’s response to the previous invasion.
In response to the invasion, the U.S. imposed new sanctions on Russia. Rep.Turner agrees with the sanctions.
“Threatening the United States, threatening NATO, threatening our Western allies are only made good if he can continue to build and strengthen his military. Sanctions have an impact on that,” said Turner in a recent interview.
The Ohio Republican believes that sanctions on technology will hinder Russia’s cyberattacks and acquisition of more military supplies.
Rep. Turner said that President Putin “needs technology from the West to do that, and we need to make certain that he doesn’t get it.”
