Failing
to act erodes America’s credibility
By Senator John McCain (R-AZ)
In the first of what will be many
tests for your new administration, Russia and its proxy forces launched attacks
against Ukrainian forces this week, killing at least seven Ukrainian soldiers
and wounding dozens more.
That this surge of attacks began
the day after he talked with you by phone is a clear indication that Vladimir
Putin is moving quickly to test you as commander-in-chief.
America’s response will have
lasting consequences.
Vladimir Putin’s violent campaign
to destabilize and dismember the sovereign nation of Ukraine will not stop
unless and until he meets a strong and determined response.
Therefore, in light of the latest Russian attacks and the prospect of future aggression against Ukraine, I urge you to exercise the authority given to you by the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017 to provide defensive lethal assistance to Ukraine to defend its territory against further violations by Russia and its separatist proxies.
At the same time, so long as
Russia continues to occupy Crimea and destabilize Ukraine, I implore you to
maintain current sanctions against Russia.
And based on Russia’s attempted
interference in our elections, I urge you to expand current sanctions against
Russia.
Ukrainians are not asking
Americans to do their fighting. Nearly 10,000 Ukrainians have died to protect
their homeland and many more are serving and have sacrificed for the cause of a
free and united Ukraine.
But America does have a proud
history of helping free people to defend themselves. We should do so once more
by giving our Ukrainian friends the assistance they need and deserve.
Failing to do so now not only
risks Ukraine’s sovereignty, but the further erosion of American
credibility.
Sincerely,
John McCain
John McCain
