Senator Menendez Exclusive: No Retreat from Supporting Ukraine

Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ), in an exclusive cyber-interview with The Torn Curtain 1991, assured Ukraine and Ukrainian Americans that he and his like-minded colleagues on Capitol Hill will not retreat from supporting Ukraine and other countries that face Russian aggression.

Menendez further said opposing political winds in the United States would not sway him from advocating on behalf of Ukraine. He noted Russia’s aggression against Ukraine was emboldened by the mere hint of the Trump Administration’s softened stance toward Russia.

Menendez is the senior member and former chairman of the powerful Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and the architect of Russian sanctions legislation.

The full transcript of the interview follows. It was submitted to Senator Menendez before the latest escalation of Russian hostilities against Ukraine this past weekend.

The Torn Curtain 1991: The biggest question on the minds of Ukrainians (in Ukraine and Ukrainian Americans) as well as citizens of the former captive nations is should they fear that the United States will abandon its traditional support for their independence and sovereignty with the inauguration of Donald Trump as President? Will lawmakers such as you and your colleagues in the Ukrainian Congressional Caucus have the political strength to continue supporting those countries that are in the shadow of a belligerent Russia?

Senator Menendez: I have and will continue to stand with Ukrainians and all the Baltic and Eastern European peoples who live in fear of Russian aggression. I stand strongly in favor of democracy, the rule of law, and the territorial sovereignty and safety of independent countries in the face of subversion, threats of invasion, and — in the case of Ukraine—actual invasion by the Russian military. My fundamental belief in these principles will not be swayed by political winds in the United States. I have expressed alarm at any hints of warming to Russia under Vladimir Putin and many of my colleagues on both sides of the aisle have joined in expressing concern and doubt as well. I have faith that my colleagues who have been supportive of Ukraine in the past will continue to be.

Additionally, it is clear that we cannot back down in our support for democratic countries in the face of Russian aggression. At the mere hint that President Trump would take a softer stance towards Russia, we have seen pro-Russian forces emboldened and renew fighting in places like Avdiyivka in Eastern Ukraine.

The Torn Curtain 1991: Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2014, almost three years ago. That’s half the duration of World War II. Why do you think the free world’s combined response has been so lukewarm? Should the free world condemn Putin like it did Hitler seven decades ago?

Senator Menendez: My own response, along with many of my colleagues, to Russia’s destabilization of the post-war order was strong and decisive. In 2014, I led co-sponsorship of the Ukraine Freedom Support Act, which imposed sanctions on individuals and companies that contributed to instability in Ukraine or provided support for Russia’s invasion. The legislation also authorized military assistance directly to Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression. Internationally, several of Ukraine’s Eastern European neighbors certainly understand how Russia’s aggression threatens the sovereignty and territorial integrity of independent nations at large. However, I do believe the world must indeed do more to condemn and counter Russia’s annexation of Ukraine. We must have a united front to counter Putin’s overarching strategy of dividing and fracturing the Western alliance system. We must apply the lessons that bullying must be met with steadfast resolve. Division must be met with unity amongst the nations of the free world.

The Torn Curtain 1991: President Poroshenko and Ukrainian Americans are urging the White House and Congress to send lethal weapons to Ukraine and other tangible assistance under HR 5094. Do you favor that and how will it help Ukraine?

Senator Menendez: The United States must support Ukraine as the endangered and embattled democracy that it is. When I visited Ukraine and met with President Poroshenko at the height of Russia’s invasion, I committed to using my voice, my influence, and my vote to do everything possible to assist Ukrainians, both in terms of resisting further Russian military advances and rebuilding the country’s shaken economy and institutions under attack. I authored legislation in 2014 that authorized military assistance to Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression and I maintain that is the correct approach, when necessary, coupled with material, economic and non-lethal assistance. I also sponsored the STAND for Ukraine Act in the Senate at the end of last Congress. I believe it is in the fundamental national security interests of the United States to protect and defend Ukraine’s territorial integrity, and to send a clear signal around the world that those facing aggression will have a strong friend in the United States.

The Torn Curtain 1991: The Minsk truce that Russia signed and violated numerous times is not bringing Russia’s war against Ukraine closer to a conclusion. Are sanctions the only effective way to force Moscow to withdraw from all occupied regions of Ukraine – Crimea and Donbas? Should Russia also be banned from the global table until it does? 

Senator Menendez: Sanctions can be the most powerful and peaceful leverage we have in our arsenal of diplomatic tools. Sanctions must be coupled with resolve and a credible threat of stronger actions. We must not roll back sanctions against Russia until Russia proves it is a willing partner in the global international order, respects the territorial sovereignty of its neighbors, and stops international provocation. Last month, in fact, my colleagues and I introduced the Countering Russian Hostilities Act, which would expand sanctions on Russia for its continued occupation of Ukraine, for its interference in our own electoral process, and provide support for those in its immediate sphere.

The Torn Curtain 1991: Are you concerned that Vladimir Putin will escalate the war against Ukraine with a major westward push toward Kyiv, Lviv and even Vilnius or Warsaw?

Senator Menendez: We must take Russian aggression and threats of aggression seriously. Russian forces continue to amass along the border of these countries, and reports show that they could move with some swiftness across the border of these countries. We must support Eastern European countries as they enhance their militaries, and protect critical infrastructure, both physical and cyber. Additionally, as the Countering Russian Hostilities Act does, we must provide support for democratic institutions, public diplomacy efforts that support a free press and the free flow of information in the face of Russian disinformation campaigns aimed to disrupt and undermine democratic governance structures and institutions. 

The Torn Curtain 1991: As Ukraine transitions from a Soviet mentality, the government and population still endure a corrupt mindset. How can the United States help Ukraine overcome corruption without harming its ability to successfully defend itself against Russian aggression?

Senator Menendez: Governance institutions that promote democracy, the rule of law, and a free and reliable press are the foundations of a strong country everywhere in the world. A democratically elected government with a robust judicial system and media in which all citizens place faith will be a critical component of countering Russian aggression. These institutions also help promote stable economic development, which will be critical for building a wealthy society where citizens are secure, and help maintain support for a capable and robust military presence. Russia will only be more successful in penetrating Ukrainian society if Ukrainians have reason to turn on their own institutions as not supportive of the people and their aspirations.

Capitol Hill Responds to Russian Escalation of War vs Ukraine

Despite President Trump’s doubtful support for any legislation critical of Vladimir Putin’s Russia, several elected officials have stood up against Russia’s global threats and aggression.

Congressman Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ) today responded to the news that Trump has eased sanctions on Russia imposed by President Obama in the wake of cyberattacks during the 2016 election, warning that such a move would bolster Putin’s illegal occupation of Ukrainian Crimea.

“After the worst escalation in two years by Russian-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine, the Trump Administration has inexplicably decided to reward this behavior by easing sanctions imposed on Russia for their cyberattacks here in the United States,” Pascrell said. “This move will only strengthen Mr. Putin’s grip on Crimea, emboldening his decision to destabilize the region and contribute to the thousands of civilian deaths in Ukraine. The Congress must hold hearings and quickly respond by passing legislation to tighten sanctions on the Russians and prevent any further weakening by this Administration.”

Pascrell said for someone like Trump, who “purports to be the ultimate dealmaker,” lifting sanctions prematurely is “raw deal.” The Congressman said President Trump should stand up for American allies like Ukraine, “not cozy up to those who have meddled in our elections and continue to cause chaos around the world.”

Also today, Congressional Ukrainian Caucus Co-Chairs, Reps. Andy Harris (R-MD), Marcy Kaptur (D-OH), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) and Sander Levin (D-MI), issued the following statement on the escalation of Russian military assault against Ukraine.

“We call on Russia-controlled separatists to immediately stop the violence in Eastern Ukraine, honor the ceasefire, and withdraw heavy weapons. We reaffirm our support for the Minsk accords, and stand in strong opposition to all efforts that would encourage military action against Ukraine. 

“As Co-Chairs of the Congressional Ukrainian Caucus, we are deeply concerned with loss of life and the deteriorating humanitarian condition in Avdiyivka, in eastern Ukraine, since heavy fighting broke out on January 28. According to Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), at least eight people have died in the last three days, and 17,000 civilians, including 2,500 children, do not have access to water, electricity, or heat in below freezing temperatures. With each continued day of fighting, their condition becomes more dire.

“The United States must stand shoulder-to-shoulder with our European allies and with the Ukraine people, who have demonstrated time and again their will for a sovereign and democratic country, free from Russia’s interference. We strongly urge Russian authorities to respect human life and abide by the ceasefire.” 

Russia Escalates War vs Ukraine; Kyiv Calls it War Criminal

Russia has dramatically escalated its military campaign against Ukraine over the weekend, leading to one of the deadliest outbreaks in fighting in the eastern oblasts since mid-December.

At least seven Ukrainian soldiers were killed in battle with pro-Russian terrorists, according to Ukrainian military reports, prompting Kyiv to decry Russia as a war criminal.

“The situation in the Avdiyivka industrial zone is challenging. The enemy continues to fire at our positions with heavy artillery and mortars,” Ukrainian military spokesman Col. Oleksandr Motuzyanyk said at a regular daily briefing.

The deadly uptick in fighting comes a week after the inauguration of Donald J. Trump as the 45th President of the United States and the threat of a dangerous détente between Washington and Moscow that could relegate Ukraine to a vassal region in Russia’s renewed prison of nations.

Russia’s intensified attacks against Ukrainian positions caught the x-captive nations and the free world by surprise, prompting President Petro Poroshenko to cut short his visit with German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

In a statement about Russia’s latest violation of the ceasefire agreement, the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed its “deep concern” and called on allies to step up pressure on Moscow to abide by the truce.

The rebels began attacking government positions in the eastern frontline town of Avdiyivka on Sunday, January 29, Ukrainian officials said.

“According to tentative information, five Ukrainian troops were killed and 14 were wounded in action in the past 24 hours. The Ukrainian troops incurred almost all the losses in the heavy fighting in Avdiyivka,” Motuzyanyk said on Monday. The toll has since grown.

Russia’s war in Ukraine has killed some 10,000 since it began in three years ago this February, according to the UN Human Rights Office.

Ukrainian Defense Minister Stepan Poltorak said during the talks with injured servicemen at a Lviv military hospital that the operational situation in the Anti-Terrorist Operation (ATO) area in Donbas remains complicated, but at the same time the Ukrainian troops managed to seize a strategically significant outpost during the battle in the Avdiyivka area.

“Today there is a serious aggravation in the Avdiyivka area: in the morning the terrorist groups started the shelling, then, two groups of the hostiles comprising 25-30 people each launched assault actions on our positions. At one of the positions this attack was stopped by the armed forces servicemen, on the second one our servicemen went into the offensive and seized an important outpost, which has strategic significance. Our servicemen, unfortunately, sustained some losses. The situation in the ATO area is thorny, but controllable,” the ministry press service quoted Poltorak as saying.

Ukrainian military officials accused the Russian mercenaries of using tanks and grad multiple grenade launchers and said they recorded intensified fighting all along the front line — outside the separatist stronghold of Donetsk, in the south of the front-line north of Mariupol and west of Luhansk. The grad launcher is among heavy-caliber weapons that should have been pulled back from the front line under a 2015 truce between the warring parties.

In the Mariupol sector, 20 shells were fired from BM-21 grad rocket launchers on Ukrainian army positions near Talakivka, the staff said on Facebook on Monday morning. Vodiane came under attack of a Grad P rocket launcher, 122mm artillery, mortars of various calibers, grenade launchers and small arms, it said.

According to the staff, the hostiles fired 122 mm artillery on Lybidynske, mortars on Krasnohorivka, and grenade launchers and small arms on Hnutove, Pavlopil, Shyrokyne and Krasnohorivka, and engaged armored personnel carriers and infantry combat vehicles in Shyrokyne.

Two onslaughts were mounted near Avdiyivka in the Donetsk sector but the enemy troops “suffered casualties and had to retreat,” it said. Mortars of various calibers were fired on Verkhniotoretske, Avdiyivka, Opytne, Luhanske, Zaitseve and Kamyanka on Sunday. “Tanks shelled Novhorodske and Pisky,” it said.

The militants fired mortars and grenade launchers on Novo-Oleksandrivka, Troyitske, Popasna and Novozvanivka in the Luhansk sector, it said.

Ukraine and NATO accuse the Kremlin of supporting the rebels with troops and weapons. The United States and European Union have imposed sanctions on Russia over the war, as well as for its occupation of Ukraine’s Crimea peninsula.

With Trump considering dropping the White House’s support for punitive sanctions against Russia, Ukrainian officials, the former captive nations, the European Union, the Congressional Ukrainian Caucus and other friends of Ukrainian on Capitol Hill will be stepping up efforts to mobilize support for maintaining global sanctions against the Kremlin until it surrenders occupied Ukrainian regions and withdraws its troops and mercenaries to Russia.

The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry issued the following statement:

“Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry expresses deep concern over the intensification of the Russian-terrorist forces in Donbas.

“For the last two days, the Russian occupation forces carried out massive attacks across the contact line using all available weapons, including MLRS ‘grad,’ artillery of 152 mm and 122 mm, mortars of 120 and 82 mm, tanks, all prohibited by the Minsk agreements, and small arms. The Russian weapon has killed 8 Ukrainian soldiers and has left 26 wounded.

“Civilians suffer because of the shelling of the residential areas: 2 civilians have been wounded. The cities of Yasinovata and Avdiyivka were fully cut off from electricity by shelling. More than 400,000 peaceful civilians in the region have no access to water, electricity and heating. Given harsh weather conditions and the continuing shelling by the militants, the humanitarian situation in the area continues to deteriorate.

“Such actions of the Kremlin may qualify as a war crime, a gross violation of the Geneva Conventions of 12 August 1949, an unlawful, wanton and extensive destruction of property not justified by military necessity.

“Obviously, the current escalation in Donbas is a clear indication of Russia’s continued blatant disregard of its commitments under the Minsk agreements with a view of preventing the stabilization of the situation and achieving any progress in the security and humanitarian spheres.

“We demand from the Russian Federation to cease hostilities immediately and to comply strictly with the ceasefire.

“We request our international partners to step up political and diplomatic pressure on the Kremlin to stop this dangerous escalation in Donbas and avoid a humanitarian catastrophe in the region.”

With Russia continuing to violate truce accords and escalating its war against Ukraine, and behaving like a war criminal, Kyiv has no other recourse except to sever diplomatic relations with Russia and arrest all Russian diplomats in Ukraine.

The White House must not contemplate establishing good relations with the Kremlin as it deepens its bloodshed in Ukraine. The US must not partner with a country and its leader that emulate Nazi Germany’s bloody behavior.