Montana's Senators weigh in on Russian invasion of Ukraine

Montana’s two U.S. Senators weighed in on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine Thursday.

“I’m praying for the people of Ukraine and condemn Putin’s outrageous attack on their sovereignty and independence. Putin is a thug, and he has been empowered and emboldened by Biden’s disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan and his approval of Russia’s Nord Stream 2 pipeline while killing America’s Keystone XL pipeline,” Republican Steve Daines said. “The skyrocketing price of oil and resulting inflation are stark reminders of the importance of increasing, not decreasing, made in America energy. I do not support sending American troops to Ukraine.”

Democrat Sen. Jon Tester said it was the biggest land grab since World War II and unacceptable.

“Vladimir Putin single-handedly started an unprovoked war that makes the world less safe. I stand in solidarity with the people of Ukraine and with every freedom-loving democracy in condemning Russia’s illegal military actions. The United States will continue to support the security and stability of our NATO and European allies in the face of these acts of war,” he said.

Speaking to reporters Wednesday before the onslaught, Tester said he supported stiff sanctions against Russia, though he doubted we would see U.S. airstrikes or a ground battle against Russian troops unless Russia attacks a NATO country.

Russian troops invaded Ukraine on multiple fronts Thursday.

“Ukraine is not a threat to Russia,” Tester said Wednesday. “This shows how unstable (Putin) really is.”

President Biden called the Russian action “a premeditated war,” the Washington Post reported.

It came shortly after Russian President Vladimir Putin declared on state television that Russia was beginning a military operation for the “demilitarization and denazification” of eastern Ukraine. He said that Russia did not intend to occupy the country, the Post reported.