JERSEY CITY – U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued the following statement regarding Russia’s massive buildup of military troops near the border with Ukraine:
“I am deeply concerned by the Russian Federation’s continued movement of troops to the Ukrainian border as well as its troop movements in the occupied Ukrainian territory of Crimea. This aggression has coincided with a sharp increase in Ukrainian casualties along the line of contact, and I join the people of Ukraine in honoring those who have lost their lives in defense of their home.
“No matter what the Kremlin claims, its belligerent actions pose a serious threat to peace and stability in Ukraine and across Eastern Europe. The United States, along with our allies and partners, must reject these intimidation tactics. These types of aggressions are unacceptable and must never become the norm in international affairs. Putin must stop playing with fire, pull these troops back and resume participation in peace talks. I stand with the Ukrainian people in refusing to bow down to the Kremlin’s aggression, and the whole international community must make clear that they stand with the Ukrainian people as well.”
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