Rep. Zeldin Statement on Russia-Ukraine Situation

Statement

Today, Congressman Lee Zeldin (R, NY-1), member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, issued the following statement on the latest developments relating to Russia's continued threats to invade Ukraine:

"First and foremost, everyone focused on foreign nations' borders must never take their eyes off the ball on the crisis right now at our own southern border. Too many are turning a blind eye to this huge problem that's getting worse. We must always keep our priorities straight.

"As far as Ukraine, our very first priority at this time needs to be on the Americans currently in Ukraine and the many Ukrainian-American families in the United States who are deeply concerned about the safety of their loved ones in Ukraine.

"Next, words matter, especially when they are coming from the President of the United States. President Biden's "minor incursion' offering for Russia to enter Ukraine has huge consequences, and he needs to never do anything like that ever again. Policy matters too and the Biden Administration should have never fast-tracked the NordStream2 pipeline for Russia last year.

"As it relates to our nation's strategy moving forward, whether it's the UN Security Council, bilateral and multilateral diplomatic collaboration with other nations, applying economic pressure, and smartly pursuing other aspects of our nation's many instruments of national power, we have an ability to help diffuse this situation, which we must intelligently navigate with strength to deescalate this extremely dire reality on the ground."

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