Rep. Moulton Warns 'Freedom Is On The Line' In Russian Invasion

SALEM, MA — An escalating war zone 5,000 miles away could have dire ramifications on the North Shore and throughout America in the coming weeks, months and perhaps years.

That was the ominous message U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton shared with Patch in an interview Thursday as the Salem Democrat talked in stark terms about the potential consequences of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

"I can't emphasize enough how dangerous this situation is for the entire world and not just Ukraine," Moulton said. "We can't say today that this is the start of World War III. We need to ensure that a few weeks from now we don't look back and say that it was."

(More on Patch: MA Lawmakers Condemn Russian Invasion Of Ukraine)

While Moulton allowed that much of the conflict's direction is in the hands of Russian President Vladimir Putin — whom Moulton called "an autocrat, a tyrant and a murderer" — he said that crippling sanctions and the resolve of the American people and NATO allies to stick with them will be critical to averting the worst-case scenario.

"We need to understand that Russia is coming within inches of invading a NATO country where thousands of U.S. troops are stationed," Moulton said, referring to Poland, which borders Ukraine to the west. "That means if (Putin) goes further, Americans will be killed."

Economically, Moulton said nearly all North Shore residents will feel the strain the invasion is causing on oil and gas prices through at least the end of the winter heating season.

He called the attack and the NATO response "a historic moment not just for Europe but for the entire world in terms of freedom, democracy and the rule of law.

"We may not realize it now but history may show that at this moment freedom is on the line."

(More on Patch: Conflict In Ukraine: Clark Russian Politics Expert Explains)

Moulton, a member of the U.S. House Armed Services Committee, said he returned from the recent Munich Security Conference "nothing but impressed with how united (the NATO allies are)" but added that mettle is being tested both at home and abroad.

He said the NATO countries have to stick to enforcing the harsh sanctions on Russian banks, exports and oligarchs that President Joe Biden outlined during his Thursday news conference — and must be prepared to go further and sacrifice more, if necessary.

He added that it is also a time for "Americans to be united" in their condemnation of Putin's aggression.

"The outrageous, traitorous support of Putin among (Fox News host) Tucker Carlson and some extremists in the Republican party has no place in America today," Moulton declared.

Moulton said he understands as an Iraq War veteran "the human cost of war from my own experience, which is what makes it all the more painful."

"A lot of innocent people are going to die," Moulton said. "That's what happens in war. That's why you only go to war if you don't have any alternatives. Putin has all the alternatives in the world here. There is no reason to go to war in Ukraine.

"He said the people of Ukraine are part of Russia's own history. Then why on earth is he (on the verge of) slaughtering thousands of them?"

Moulton said he has been in contact with the leaders of major Ukrainian organizations across the country in recent weeks and urged North Shore residents to do the same locally.

"Reach out to them and ask what you can do to help support them today," he said.

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)