Reno Reporter

A U.S. senator who condemns Russia’s invasion into Ukraine called for sanctions against Russia days before President Joe Biden revealed a sanctions package.

U.S. Sen. Jacky Rosen (D-NV), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, said in a statement that Russia should be held accountable for its actions. The Russian military began a “premeditated attack” on Ukraine, Biden said in remarks Feb. 24 about the attack.

Rosen called for sanctions against Russia on Feb. 22 after Putin recognized “the independence of two separatist-controlled regions in eastern Ukraine” before invading Ukraine.

“Putin’s violation of Ukraine’s sovereignty upends the international principles that sustain peace and security,” Rosen said in the statement. “The United States must impose crippling sanctions against Putin and Russia, while continuing to support Ukraine through security assistance and help our strategic partner to defend itself.”

A sanctions package Biden revealed in remarks on Feb. 24 included more sanctions and limitations on exports to Russia, sanctions of Russian banks, and sanctions of a list of Russian elites and their families.

“Between our actions and those of our Allies and partners, we estimate that we’ll cut off more than half of Russia’s high-tech imports,” Biden said in his remarks. “It will strike a blow to their ability to continue to modernize their military. It’ll degrade their aerospace industry, including their space program. It will hurt their ability to build ships, reducing their ability to compete economically. And it will be a major hit to Putin’s long-term strategic ambitions.”

The security of the United States’ NATO allies must continue to be strengthened for the demonstration of unity, Rosen said.

“The United States has assembled a robust international coalition to confront Russian aggression, and the administration should continue to exhaust all tools to stop Russia,” Rosen said.