Reps. Price and Buchanan Issue Statement on Russian Invasion of Luhansk and Donetsk in Ukraine

WASHINGTON, DC (February 22, 2022) -- Today, Chairman David Price and Co-Chair Vern Buchanan of the bipartisan House Democracy Partnership (HDP) released a statement on the situation in Ukraine. Ukraine has been a longstanding HDP partner country and has actively engaged in programming related to the democratic development of the Verkhovna Rada (Parliament).

"Putin's recent actions in Luhansk and Donetsk are an appalling escalation of belligerent behavior designed to sow chaos, discord, and further destabilize Ukraine's territorial sovereignty and democratic aspirations. The Kremlin's illegal recognition of independence of these two oblasts formalizes their status as de facto Russian puppet states, and provides no justification whatsoever for Russian troops to enter Ukraine.

"Ukraine has been an active, productive member of the House Democracy Partnership, and we unequivocally stand with the Ukrainian parliament, and all Ukrainians under threat of imminent full-scale Russian military invasion.

"We call for the immediate retreat of all Russian military personnel from Ukraine, including Luhansk and Donetsk, and for a strong, coordinated response from the United States and our allies in Europe. Complacency from the West will only further embolden Putin to continue his hostile and combative actions."

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