Senator Shaheen Senator backs Biden’s handling of the Russian threat in the Ukraine.
“I think that he’s been clear with Putin that there will be serious consequences for any effort to invade Ukraine. There will be sanctions, and they will be not only from the United States but also from our allies.”
In an interview with WGIR’s Chris Ryan, Senator Jeanne Shaheen discusses the impending crisis in Ukraine; describes the meeting between the President of the Ukraine and a bipartisan delegation of US Senators; expresses her confidence in the Biden Administration’s handling of the Ukrainian situation; voices her concern that Putin might use a false flag operation as a pretext for an invasion of Ukraine; and states her support for our Olympic athletes and her opposition to China’s human rights policies.
Senator Shaheen believes that we should continue diplomatic efforts to forestall a Russian invasion, but she feels that Vladimir Putin is determined to invade Ukraine in some form.
If past behavior is any indicator, the Senator thinks that Putin will make his move after the Olympics, as he did when he invaded Georgia and Crimea in 2008 and 2014.
Two weeks ago, Senator Shaheen was the co-leader of a delegation of seven Senators from both parties which met with the President of the Ukraine, Vladimir Zelensky, to deliver a message of American support for the independence of Ukraine and support for the actions of the United States in this situation.
President Zelensky was grateful for the expression of support by the Senators and expressed his hope to avoid panicking the Ukrainian people who he claims are used to Russian threats.
Senator Shaheen also expressed her confidence in the Biden Administration’s handling of the threat of Russian aggression in the Ukraine.
Even though President Vladimir Putin is an autocratic ruler with dictatorial power, a war in the Ukraine might not be popular with the Russian people. In previous invasions of Georgia and Ukraine, Putin has launched what are called “false flag operations” using special forces to stir unrest and to provide a reason for Russia to justify a Russian invasion to restore order.
Senator Shaheen applauds the efforts of organizations which have been around since the Cold War, like Radio Free Europe and Radio Liberty, in their efforts to combat Russian propaganda and misinformation and a possible Russian false flag operation in the Ukraine.
The Winter Olympics in China were the topic of the last segment of the interview. Senator Shaheen saluted the American athletes, like figure skater Nathan Chen and snowboarder Chloe Kim for their gold medal victories.
However, the Senator calls China to task for its mistreatment of the Uighurs and its many human rights abuses. In addition, she calls into question the decision making of the International Olympic Committee, in having countries with terrible human rights records like China as the site of future Olympic games.