Russia's Ukraine Invasion: PA Senators Denounce Attack

Pittsburgh PA

24 February, 2022

7:42 AM

Description

PENNSYLVANIA — Pennsylvania's two United States senators promptly condemned Russia's invasion of Ukraine that began early Thursday and quickly resulted in multiple casualties in the nation under siege. Democrat Bob Casey and Republican Pat Toomey seldom see eye-t0-eye on political issues but both denounced the aggression in general and President Vladimir Putin in particular. "President Putin's invasion of Ukraine is an aggressive escalation in his efforts to upend international order, undermine democracy and amass power at all costs," Casey said in a statement. "For years, Putin and his government have perpetuated hostile attacks against Ukraine and the international community, from the annexation of Crimea to sponsoring militant groups including those responsible for the deliberate downing of Malaysian Airlines flight 17 to interfering in U.S. elections." Casey also said that Putin was emboldened by former President Donald Trump, "from his disturbing comments in Helsinki earlier this week." Toomey called the invasion Putin's latest effort to degrade Urkaine's sovereignty "and turn it into a vassal state. "This war Russia is choosing to wage will create a humanitarian crisis in Europe with millions of displaced Ukrainians," Toomey said in a statement. "The United States and our allies must aim to stop this war before the damage escalates further by imposing harsh sanctions on Russia to ensure Putin understands there will be a crippling cost to his abuses." Be the first to know what's happening in your community and region. With a free Patch subscription, you'll always be up to date on local and state news: https://patch.com/subscribe.