Oversight Committee Condemns Latest Russian Aggression Against Ukraine

Feb 22, 2022
Press Release

Washington, D.C. (February 22, 2022)—Today, Rep. Carolyn B. Maloney, Chairwoman of the Committee on Oversight and Reform, and Rep. Stephen F. Lynch, Chairman of the Subcommittee on National Security, released the following statements after President Vladimir Putin ordered Russian military forces to enter Ukraine:

 

“I strongly condemn Russia’s military aggression against Ukraine and the threat that Vladimir Putin’s actions pose to the lives of innocent civilians and the freedom of the Ukrainian people,” Chairwoman Maloney said.  “President Putin’s apparent decision to invade Ukraine comes after he has repeatedly shown he has no respect for international norms, including by annexing Crimea, poisoning and imprisoning political dissidents and opponents, and launching state-sponsored cyber-attacks.  The Oversight Committee stands alongside President Biden and our congressional colleagues in supporting the people of Ukraine and swiftly and severely responding to Putin’s destabilizing activities in Eastern Europe.”

 

Russia’s latest violation of Ukraine’s sovereignty is a blatant act of aggression that disregards the democratic freedoms of 44 million Ukrainian citizens and violates Moscow’s obligations under international law.  Like Adolf Hitler before him, Putin’s actions endanger the peace and security of Europe and the free world,” Chairman Lynch said.  “I fully support President Biden’s efforts to unite the 30 nations of NATO to defend democracy from Putin’s attacks against the principles of freedom and self-governance that have been the foundation of the rules-based international order since the end of World War II.” 

 

On February 16, 2022, the Subcommittee on National Security held a hearing to examine Russia’s destabilizing activity in Eastern Europe.  During the hearing, expert witnesses argued that Russia’s aggression toward Ukraine threatens the international order that has helped preserve peace in Europe since the end of World War II. 

 

Witnesses, including the Honorable Michael McFaul, Director of the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies at Stanford University and former U.S. Ambassador to the Russian Federation, commended President Biden and his Administration for unifying the NATO alliance.  The witnesses warned that the United States’ relationship with Russia cannot return to the status quo, and unity and bipartisanship at home will be necessary to challenge the Kremlin’s authoritarian worldview.

 

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117th Congress