CBS "Face the Nation" - Transcript: 2014 Crimean Crisis

Interview

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BOB SCHIEFFER: And welcome back to FACE THE NATION. We are going now to Kiev, Ukraine, where we are joined by Republican Senator Kelly Ayotte who is leading a congressional delegation to the region. Senator, thank you so much for joining us this morning. There seems to be some sort of demonstration going on behind you right now. You're our reporter on the scene.

SENATOR KELLY AYOTTE (Armed Services Committee/R-New Hampshire): Thanks, Bob.

BOB SCHIEFFER: What-- what's-- what's up-- what's happening?

SENATOR KELLY AYOTTE: In Maidan Square right now, Bob, you see thousands of Ukrainians protesting the Russian occupation of Crimea. So this is a Russian protest by Ukrainians who want their sovereignty. They want their freedom and they're protesting what Russia did in Crimea.

BOB SCHIEFFER: You are just back I understand from a meeting with some of the Ukrainian leaders. What are they telling you about these Russian troops that are poised on the border of Ukraine?

SENATOR KELLY AYOTTE: Well, we met with the prime minister. We also met with other ministers of cabinets and, essentially, they're very worried about the Russian amassing of troops on the eastern Ukrainian border. Also yesterday, they arrested three Russian armed agents in eastern Ukraine. And the reason that they are there is to actually create protests, to actually create conflict. And so it was good that they arrested them but you can see the actions that the Russians are trying to take in eastern Ukraine. And so it's so important that we take actions to deter further Russian aggression against the Ukrainian people.

BOB SCHIEFFER: But what actually could we do, in your view, Senator?

SENATOR KELLY AYOTTE: Having heard here from the leaders, I think-- I-- I appreciate what the President did this week with sanctions. I think we need to do more with sanctions, including sanctioning the entire financial sectors of the Russian economy as well as looking at the energy sec-- sectors. The Russian economy is a one trick pony. They're totally focused on natural gas and oil. And so if we were to impose greater sanctions on economic sectors, I think we could have a significant impact on Putin and then he would get the message. In addition to that, I think further military assistance, the-- President Yanukovych, the deposed president, essentially, he-- he gutted-- gutted the-- the Ukrainian military and so I think we could provide some more assistance to them in that regard.

BOB SCHIEFFER: Well, do you think the United States would actually be willing to do that? I mean they asked for military aid and we sent them, as I understand it, military meals for the troops. Should we do more? What kind of military aid do you think we ought to send them?

SENATOR KELLY AYOTTE: Well, first of all, I think we could do more in terms of communications equipment that we can help them with, technical assistance. In addition to that, they have put in a request to us and NATO for some small arms. I think there are some things that we could do that don't involve our boots on the ground but really help them also stand up and help their military really at this time. I think that's very important. In addition to that, Bob, you know, we had the USS Truxtun in the Black Sea. I think that needs to be returned to the Black Sea. It was on exercises. It's now been removed. I think we should return it there.

BOB SCHIEFFER: The administration had proposed a huge economic package for Ukraine. But the Senate did not seem to see the-- that this was something needed to be done immediately. You all adjourned and went on vacation. Do you think that you'll get around to passing that aid package this week?

SENATOR KELLY AYOTTE: As I understand it, we're going to take up that aid package tomorrow in the Senate. I think it's important that we do this right away. Obviously, they need those loan guarantees. They need our assistance. And in addition to the sanctions that the administration has put forward and I hope that they'll do additional sanctions, this is very important that the Congress do this right away. That was one of the messages that the prime minister certainly gave to us today.

BOB SCHIEFFER: Are they worried that in-- in Kiev that Putin will actually move those troops that are on the border into Ukraine, is that-- is that a worry there now?

SENATOR KELLY AYOTTE: I think that's always a consideration and a worry. You see the troops, significant presence he has on the Ukrainian border, you know that the-- the agents, the Russian agents, were arrested yesterday in eastern Ukraine. And that's why it's really important that we turn this around quickly. I think the President has to be-- appreciate what he's done in terms of sanctions but to be even stronger and then also to reassure our allies in the region. Our allies are asking for greater presence of NATO particularly the Poland, the Czech Republic, those countries surrounding Ukraine. So this is a very important time for the United States, I think, also to help turn this around. It's-- it's a wake-up moment in terms of our relationship with Russia and-- so we need to deter Putin from further actions because this is a very real threat, Bob.

BOB SCHIEFFER: Do you-- could you foresee military forces being put in there, either NATO or U.S. forces or a combination? We are part of NATO, of course.

SENATOR KELLY AYOTTE: Of course. I don't see any boots on the ground right now nor are they asking for that. I think that what we can do, though, is strengthen NATO's presence, particularly in the countries surrounding Ukraine. And also provide assistance to the Ukrainian military. But, most importantly, we need to send a message to Vladimir Putin through stronger sanctions. We need him to understand that the sanctions that we put in place can have a significant impact on his economy that we need to deter further action from him. And understand who he is, farmer-- former KGB colonel, he's a bully, and bullies only understand when we punch them in the nose but we need to do that economically. That is our strongest move at this point.

BOB SCHIEFFER: All right. Well, Senator Ayotte, thank you so much for joining us.

SENATOR KELLY AYOTTE: Thanks so much, Bob. Appreciate it.

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