Denver — Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet, a member of the U.S. Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, released the following statement on the one-year anniversary of Russia’s war against Ukraine:
“A year ago, Vladimir Putin launched a lawless, unprovoked invasion of Ukraine, threatening an international order that has kept Americans safe since World War II. Putin’s war has killed thousands, devastated cities, and inflamed food and energy insecurity worldwide.
“In the face of Putin’s aggression, Ukraine stands strong. The courage of the Ukrainian people has inspired America and our allies to support their struggle for freedom and democracy. NATO is stronger than ever.
“Moving forward, we must do everything we can to support Ukraine in the fight with humanitarian, economic, and security assistance. We must also hold Putin and his oligarchs accountable for their crimes.
“The stakes of this war extend far beyond Ukraine. This is a fight to defend democracy against the march of tyranny across the globe. In this fight, America must stand for democracy and with the brave people of Ukraine.”
Over the past year, Bennet has staunchly supported the Ukrainian people in their fight to defend their democracy against Russian aggression. Before the invasion, Bennet and Democratic colleagues introduced legislation to impose crippling sanctions on Russia. Bennet also joined colleagues on the U.S. Senate Select Committee on Intelligence in urging President Biden to share intelligence with Ukraine as Russian troops amassed on its border.
Following the invasion, Bennet introduced bipartisan legislation to seize assets of Putin and his oligarchs and direct the proceeds to benefit Ukrainian reconstruction and recovery, which was passed unanimously as an amendment to the Fiscal Year 2023 federal spending bill in December. Bennet also has supported efforts to ban Russian oil imports and urged the Biden Administration to grant Temporary Protected Status to Ukrainian nationals until the conflict abates.