Russian Invasion Of Ukraine Unjustified, Horrific: Rep. Smith

WASHINGTON, NJ — U.S. Rep. Chris Smith had harsh words for both Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Joe Biden over the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Smith, who represents New Jersey's 4th District, called Putin a dictator and said "the hostile, unprovoked invasion of Ukraine ... has no justification nor basis whatsoever in international law and is a horrific affront to the country's sovereignty and its freedom-loving citizens."

"Tragically, the legitimate democratic government of Ukraine — which its people fought so hard to establish — hangs in the balance as credible reports indicate that Russia has made significant military advances into Ukrainian territory," Smith, a senior member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said in a statement issued Thursday.

Putin began a full-scale attack and invasion of Ukraine on Wednesday, and by Friday, Russian troops were entering Kyiv, the capital city, according to a Vox report.

Smith blamed Biden and the "disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan," which he said he believes contributed to Putin's willingness to invade Ukraine.

The withdrawal "likely empowered Putin and other brutal dictators by sending the message to all of America’s enemies that they could pursue such aggression without significant pushback from the Biden Administration," Smith said.

"Now Europe and the world teeter on the brink of another catastrophic war, justified only by Putin’s mistrust of freedom and his desire to rebuild the borders of the Soviet Union—an empire that itself was built on the blood of innocent people," Smith said, warning the Ukraine invasion may just be the beginning.

"As many look to Ukraine, we must also be vigilant of other attempts by Putin to incorporate more countries into a reconstituted Soviet empire — especially and including Kazakhstan, where Russian security forces entered in January and now remain, dressed in Kazakh military uniforms on yet another 'peacekeeping mission' in a former Soviet state," he said.

Russia made similar moves in its annexation of Crimea in 2014 and its 2008 invasion of Georgia (part of which remains under Russian control).

"The United States must stand firmly with the people of Ukraine now more than ever in this hour of great peril and ensure that Putin pays the price for his crime of aggression," Smith said.

The invasion has sent off numerous protests around the United States, including one in New York City on Thursday. Read more: 'Stop Putin': NYC Protests Russian Invasion Of Ukraine

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