Members of Congress from both parties called on President Joe Biden to sanction Russia and President Vladimir Putin for his invasion of Ukraine early Thursday morning.
Putin announced around 5:30 a.m. local time that his troops would conduct a military operation limited to the Donbas region, but Russian forces began a bombing operation against capital Kyiv and other major cities, according to Senate Intelligence Committee vice chairman Sen. Marco Rubio.
To clarify what is underway is a full scale & comprehensive military assault throughout #Ukraine
Airborne & amphibious landings,missile strikes from air,ground & naval forces, electronic & cyber attacks & a large ground force to occupy a large swath of territory
— Marco Rubio (@marcorubio) February 24, 2022
#Russia is now working on:
-establishing air superiority via targeted surgical strikes
-a pincer movement to trap Ukrainian forces in the east & cut them off from #Kyiv
-finally attempt to decapitate Ukrainian govt by targeting govt buildings,leaders & command & control systems— Marco Rubio (@marcorubio) February 24, 2022
Republican Tennessee Sen. Marsha Blackburn called on the Biden administration to remove Russian banks from the SWIFT system, which allows 11,000 banks in over 200 countries to conduct financial transactions. Although the Biden administration considered removing Russian banks from SWIFT as part of its initial sanctions package, it did not ultimately do so. (RELATED: Senators Fail To Pass Russia Sanctions, Release Bipartisan Statement Instead)
We pray for the people of Ukraine as they defend against Putin’s attempt to rebuild the old Soviet Union. Biden must stand up to Putin and immediately levy severe sanctions against Russia — starting with removal from the SWIFT banking system.
The USA stands with Ukraine. 🇺🇸 🇺🇦
— Sen. Marsha Blackburn (@MarshaBlackburn) February 24, 2022
“Putin’s impunity predictably follows our tepid response to his previous horrors in Georgia and Crimea, our naive efforts at a one-sided ‘reset,’ and the shortsightedness of ‘America First,'” Republican Utah Sen. Mitt Romney said.
“The 80’s called,’ and we didn’t answer,” he added, in a reference to his 2012 presidential campaign. At the time, Biden accused Romney of having a “Cold War mentality” that was “out of date,” after Romney said that Russia was the U.S.’s number one geopolitical foe.
— Mitt Romney (@MittRomney) February 24, 2022
“Putin and his oligarch stooges should face immediate overwhelming economic consequences for their crimes. Russia is an international rogue state and pariah and should now be treated as one by the entire world,” Democratic New Jersey Rep. Bill Pascrell said.
Putin and Russia alone have made war and the blood is on their hands. Putin and his oligarch stooges should face immediate overwhelming economic consequences for their crimes. Russia is an international rogue state and pariah and should now be treated as one by the entire world. https://t.co/qRuYDxrEc8
— Bill Pascrell, Jr. (@BillPascrell) February 24, 2022
“I stand ready to exact the most punishing economic costs on Moscow and its leadership that have ever been brought to bear, in concert with our allies. At the same time, we must do all we can to support the Ukrainian people, particularly those who are forced to flee their homes. Innocent civilians should not be trapped in the crosshairs. Russia will continue to pay for its aggression,” Democratic Oregon Sen. Jeff Merkley added.
Biden said in a statement that he will meet with the leaders of the six other G7 nations Thursday and announce a sanctions package after the conference. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Wednesday night before the invasion that the U.S. would introduce “unprecedented sanctions” that would have a “severe impact” if Russia attempted to take Ukraine.