Oklahoma Senators Denounce Russian Invasion, Call For Defensive Aid To Ukraine

Oklahoma Senators Jim Inhofe and James Lankford have issued statements about the Russian attack on Ukraine.

Related Story: Russia Attacks Ukraine As Defiant Putin Warns US, NATO

Senator Inhofe denounced Putin's "shameful breach of international protocol" and called upon the Biden administration to provide additional defensive aid to Ukraine.

“My prayers are with the brave men, women, and children of Ukraine, who are suffering an unprecedented, unwarranted and unprovoked attack ordered by Russian President Vladimir Putin. For months, we’ve seen this coming but Putin’s massive, shameful breach of international protocol is shocking and devastating nonetheless. While I am continuing to monitor the situation as events unfold, I believe it is in our country’s best interest to respond strongly by providing additional defensive aid to continue to help our Ukrainian friends defend themselves and by sending additional resources to our troops in Eastern Europe who are working alongside our NATO allies to deter this aggression from spreading further; and by imposing the most severe economic costs on Putin and his inner circle for this grave misstep. To be clear: Putin’s ambitions won’t stop with Ukraine unless America and our allies stop Putin. After Putin invaded Crimea in 2014, it became clear that the Obama-Biden administration’s tepid response was ineffectual at deterring Russian aggression. Since then, I have supported the Senate Armed Services Committee-led effort to bolster Ukraine’s ability to defend itself through what is now the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative. I now call upon the Biden administration and my colleagues to work together quickly to deter Putin from continuing down this path, to continue military support to Ukraine under these new dire circumstances, and to further bolster European security in the face of what will amount to the biggest threat to democracy since the Soviet Union fell.”

Senator James Lankford echoed Inhofe's statements saying that America must respond with quick and crippling sanctions. Lankford also said that the U.S. must produce more energy to replace Russian oil and gas. 

"Cindy and I pray for the people of Ukraine. Today they face the unfathomable: an unprovoked attack on their families, homes, and communities—simply for who they are and what they stand for: a free people living in a free country living next door to a murderous dictator.

“America and our allies must respond quickly and decisively with crippling sanctions on Putin, Russia, and anyone who seeks to aid their actions. We will absolutely impose trade restrictions and enforce sanctions on countries who continue to work with Russia.

“Europe is dependent on Russian oil and natural gas. Sanctions on Russian energy are meaningless unless the world responds by producing more energy to replace Russian oil and gas. During this moment of crisis, the United States should work to dramatically ramp up energy production to strengthen our allies and to cut off the flow of money into Putin’s war machine. Every dollar paid for Russian energy is a dollar they will use to murder their Ukrainian neighbors. America must lead the world by increasing our production of energy to decrease reliance on Russian exports. Russia’s economy is heavily dependent on energy sales, we should make sure that immediately dries up.”

Oklahoma Representatives Tom Cole and Kevin Hern also issued statements Thursday morning.

“The Russian invasion of Ukraine is an unprovoked naked act of aggression that is eerily reminiscent of what the world witnessed almost a century ago in the 1930s. The world was slow to unite to confront aggression in that era. It must not make the same mistake today,” said Rep. Tom Cole.

“Vladimir Putin has chosen to launch the largest military operation in Europe since World War II. He has done so against a country that has neither attacked nor threatened him nor the Russian state. Putin has chosen to violate a peace in Europe that has lasted more than 75 years. If he succeeds in dismantling Ukraine, he and others of his ilk all over the world will be tempted and emboldened to repeat his aggression against their innocent and weaker neighbors.

“The Ukrainians have chosen to resist Russian aggression against their country. They have not asked America to send troops to their defense, nor does the United States have any obligation to do so. However, Ukraine has asked for our moral support and material assistance. It is in our interest and the interests of freedom-loving people all over the world to respond to that request in a positive and meaningful way. 

“America should do all we can to assist Ukraine in its hour of need. We should ask our friends and allies to do the same. Finally, we should do everything in our power to punish Putin and his criminal and repressive regime for this egregious act of aggression against an innocent neighbor. If he succeeds today, we will face further aggression from him and his like-minded associates tomorrow.”

“One thing is clear: weak leadership in the White House ripples across the globe,” said Rep. KevinHern. “President Biden is unwilling to stand up to Putin and is still unclear on what sanctions will be levied against Russia following a clear invasion of Ukraine. World leaders are speaking out, laying strong sanctions on Russia, but the White House’s actions are all reactive. Preventative measures could have been taken months ago when Senate Democrats filibustered a bill implementing sanctions on Russia. This is not the message we want to send to the world. This is not the precedent we want to set for our allies. The world relies on strong American leadership, but Democrats have proven incapable of providing it – to the detriment of us all.”

Representative Markwayne Mullin issued the following on the invasion:

“I strongly condemn the unjustified and unprovoked attack on Ukraine,” Mullin said. “What we are seeing from former KGB officer and Russian President Vladimir Putin is an attempt to spread communism throughout the world and bring back the Soviet Union. The world is watching. Further, I urge President Biden to reverse his anti-fossil fuel policies and open American oil and gas production so we can aid our allies in Europe and take back control of the energy market. My heart aches for the families who are experiencing this tragic violence and I ask that you please join me in praying for the Ukrainian people.