MSNBC "The Ed Show" - Transcript: Current Ukraine Situation
Interview
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For more, let me bring in Congressman John Garamendi of California who sits in the Armed Services Committee. Congressman good to have you with us tonight. In your estimation from what you know, what is the proper reaction at this point?
REP. JOHN GARAMENDI, (D) CALIFORNIA: I think there`s at least two different ways we need to go. First of all, we need to understand the human tragedy that`s occurred here, the individuals, the families, the children, those men and women that were spending their lives fighting HIV aids. It`s a horrible human tragedy.
The second is, there needs to be thoughtful solution to the Ukrainian crisis. This is one more escalation -- one more serious incident in what is becoming an ongoing crisis in the Ukraine. And in order to deal with that, we`re going to have to rally the European countries, the NATO countries and others that are concerned about this and seek a diplomatic solution to what is a problem that has to be dealt with.
Not by war which is the way it`s headed but rather by some sort of a diplomatic solution in which the government of Ukraine recognizes what has happened in the Eastern area, the desires of the people in Eastern side of Ukraine and form a government that is inclusive and deals with the reality of the multiplicity of ethnicity, languages, and economic interest.
SCHULTZ: Congressman, I think Vladimir Putin is at the center of this. That`s my opinion. I believe he knows.
GARAMENDI: I agree.
SCHULTZ: You agree with that? I`m not trying to put words in your mouth but...
GARAMENDI: No.
SCHULTZ: ... I believe I think he`s at the center of all of these. So, from your perspective, if you believe that, what responsibility does he bear in the international community as you see it?
GARAMENDI: Well, there`s no doubt that Putin is driving this entire issue. He may from his perspective have good reason to do so. But inevitable (ph) or resolve at his reasoning is a tragedy which we just had this last 24 hours, the shooting down of this plane and the deaths.
It`s also an inflamed war in Eastern Ukraine. Are -- there is another way -- there has to be another way of solving this because this is not going to be a happy ending if this continues on the path to war. So, yes Putin is clearly behind this. He may think he has good reasons, but his good reasons are creating an enormous crisis -- east, west, Western Europe, eastern -- against the Russian...
SCHULTZ: Yeah.
GARAMENDI: ... interest here. We got to find a way of resolving this within Ukraine in some political fashion in which the government is representative of all of the interest and everyone with the eastern -- west side of this country, have an opportunity to have their peace and their economic progress.
SCHULTZ: Yes or no Congressman, do you support the President on these sanctions on Russia?
GARAMENDI: Absolutely.
SCHULTZ: OK.
GARAMENDI: It`s the right thing for him to do.
SCHULTZ: OK. You`re reaction the Republican criticism of the President to this point, it`s around the clock.
GARAMENDI: It`s so tiresome. If he wakes up in the morning and has Cheerios rather than Wheaties, they criticize that decision. It`s -- everything he does, no matter what he does they`ll find a way of criticizing it. It is not helpful at all.
SCHULTZ: OK.
GARAMENDI: And it doesn`t provide any real solutions to the underlying issues in that country or anywhere else in the world.
SCHULTZ: Congressman John Garamendi, good to have you on the Ed Show tonight sir. I appreciate your time. Thank you so much.
GARAMENDI: Thank you.
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