Source: United States Senator for Wyoming John Barrasso
WASHINGTON, D.C. – At today’s Senate Committee on Foreign Relations hearing on Russia, U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) questioned Victoria Nuland, the Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs, on the U.S.’s strategy to counter Putin’s bold and dangerous behavior against Ukraine.
Barrasso also pressed Nuland on when the administration will impose the promised Biden-Merkel sanctions on Russia for using natural gas as a geopolitical weapon.
On Putin’s Increasing Aggression Against Ukraine:
“Over the years, I have traveled to Ukraine numerous times. Eight members of the Senate, a number of members of this very committee, were in Ukraine when Russia invaded Ukraine and annexed Crimea in 2014.
“On another trip, I traveled with Senator McCain and Senator Cotton, we went to eastern Ukraine.
“I met with the courageous men and women fighting for their country’s freedom and future.
“I mentioned this to you last night. Every day, they battle along the front lines against separatist forces and more than 14,000 Ukrainians have already died fighting in the eastern region.
“I know firsthand the heart, courage and determination of these freedom fighters. Ukrainian armed forces fight bravely, they fight fiercely, they do not back down.
“Ukrainians are absolutely willing to die for their homeland.
“So if Vladimir Putin thinks that if he invades and it’s going to be easy, it is not.
“I will tell you, I believe much Russian blood will be spilled and there will be Russians going home in body bags if he invades this country.
“The United States and our allies, I believe, must do more to deter Russia by increasing the cost of aggression and I’m always looking for ways to do that.
“I think we need an enduring strategic response from the U.S., from Europe, and from NATO.
“So, I’m looking in terms of how we can respond to put Putin’s bold and dangerous behavior away.
“The repercussions go far beyond Ukraine. We need to make sure we don’t fail this test.
“When I talked to President Zelensky in September of this year, he said they needed anti-tank missiles, anti-aircraft missiles, better radar.
“I’m going to ask you, what do you believe President Putin’s ultimate objective is and how we need to stay ahead of his efforts?”
Click here to watch Sen. Barrasso’s remarks on Putin’s aggression in Ukraine.
On Sanctions to Stop Russia’s Geopolitical Weapon:
“I want to ask about the way he uses energy as a geopolitical weapon.
“In July, President Biden and German Chancellor, then Chancellor Merkel, agreed to reimpose sanctions if President Putin used gas as a ‘geopolitical weapon.’
“Since then, the world has watched Russia use natural gas to coerce and manipulate countries all around Europe.
“They severely limited the flow of gas through Ukraine – no longer delivers gas to Hungary through Ukraine due to a side agreement where they can bypass it.
“Moldova has declared a state of emergency due to Russia threatening to cut off gas. They only avoided a crisis by agreeing to a longer-term contract.
“As physical construction of Nord Stream 2 nears completion, Putin reduced gas production and deliveries to drastically increase prices. Spot prices soared.
“Where do you see the Biden-Merkel promised sanctions against Putin for using gas as a weapon?
Follow Up:
“And finally, I just have concerns if we don’t abide by a Biden-Merkel agreement, it shows that we don’t keep our word. It makes you wonder what threats of additional sanctions will have on Putin in that situation?”
Click here to watch Sen. Barrasso’s remarks on Putin’s geopolitical weapon.