Chairman Lynch Holds Hearing on U.S. Response to Russian Aggression Towards Ukraine

Statement

Yesterday, U.S. Representative Stephen F. Lynch, Chairman of the Subcommittee on National Security, held a hearing to examine Russia's destabilizing activity in Eastern Europe, including its recent buildup of approximately 150,000 troops along Ukraine's borders.

"By holding Ukraine hostage unless the United States and NATO surrender to his demands, President Putin threatens the fundamental principles of sovereignty, self-determination, and territorial integrity, that have helped to preserve global peace and security and that form the basis of the rules-based international order," Chairman Lynch said in his opening remarks. "[I]t is in our strategic and national security interests to help support the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, and President Biden has been absolutely clear that if Russian troops cross over the border, the United States will respond decisively and impose swift and severe consequences."

"Over and over again, Vladimir Putin has shown that he has little, if any, regard for international law," Chairwoman Carolyn B. Maloney said in her opening remarks. "Now he is threatening to invade Ukraine unless the United States and NATO concede to his outrageous demands to deny the people of Ukraine their own political autonomy, security, and right to self-determination."

Source