REP LIEU STATEMENT ON RUSSIA’S INVASION OF UKRAINE

WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman Ted W. Lieu (D-Los Angeles County) issued the following statement after Russia invaded Ukraine.

"Today is a somber day for the people of Ukraine and the world. Under the autocratic rule of Vladimir Putin, Russia has invaded a sovereign nation for committing the sin of choosing democracy over being his puppet. Putin has rejected calls for diplomacy and for peace, and as a result many innocent people will die.

"This is not only an attack on Ukraine but on freedom and democracy worldwide. The international community must act swiftly to hold Russia accountable and dramatically increase the costs it bears to deter further bloodshed. We will speak in one voice with our European allies and others to call out the aggressor and repel its propaganda. We will impose even harsher economic sanctions on Russia and work to help the Ukrainian people. The Soviet Union collapsed not because it lacked military strength, but because it had a weak economy. Russia is in a similar position. Russia's GDP is half of California's. Putin was forced to put in austerity measures. Putin's unprovoked, large-scale invasion of a sovereign nation will ultimately leave Putin's government even weaker."

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