Cotton Statement on Russia's Invasion of Crimea

Statement

Congressman Tom Cotton (R-Dardanelle) released the following statement on Russia's invasion of Crimea:

"Emboldened by President Obama's trembling inaction, Vladimir Putin has invaded the Crimea region of Ukraine. Senior U.S. officials have reportedly called Russia's actions in Crimea an "uncontested arrival,' not an invasion; the same was said about the Anschluss. The hours ahead will decide whether this invasion of Crimea is repelled or expanded to the whole of Ukraine, and whether the West finally confronts Putin or again blinks in disgrace.

"At a minimum, President Obama should revoke travel visas and freeze assets of senior Russian officials and Putin cronies, freeze assets of Ukrainian oligarchs who assist the Russian invasion, stop transfers of assets out of Ukraine, support the Ukrainian transitional government and military as it defends Ukraine's territorial integrity, recall our ambassador to Russia, reschedule the upcoming G-8 meeting from Russia to Western Europe or the U.S., and suspend Russia from the G-8. Putin must be punished for his outlaw actions and the Russian people and elites must recognize they will pay a price for them."

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