Wisconsin lawmakers condemn Russia, Gallagher calls Putin a “KGB thug”

GREEN BAY, Wis. (WBAY) - Rep. Mike Gallagher (R-Wisconsin) is condemning Russia’s attacks on Ukraine.

Gallagher, a member of the House Armed Services Committee and House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, says Russian President Vladimir Putin has brought war to Europe.

Gallagher released this statement Thursday:

“Vladimir Putin is a KGB thug who understands no language except force. He has brought war to Europe because he believes he will secure a quick and decisive victory. Our task is to ensure that he is disappointed, by aiding the Ukrainians who are taking up arms to defend their homeland and imposing economic costs now, not after the inevitable humanitarian disaster. Unfortunately, throughout this crisis—as during the Afghanistan fiasco—the Biden Administration has demonstrated little urgency, creativity, or willingness to admit errors and adapt. The president must change course, or our deterrent posture will continue to collapse, chaos will continue to spread, and eventually no one will trust America’s promises or fear American power.”

U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wisconsin) is a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. He released this statement:

“Weakness tempts tyrants and totalitarians to seek more power. People who only want to live in peace suffer the consequences. Ultimately, there is only one group of people responsible for the tragedies unfolding - Vladimir Putin and his cronies. They have stolen wealth from the Russian people, destabilized and done great harm to their European neighbors, and now they’ve crossed another line that will yield untold horrors. Europe must act with strength and resolve to prevent risking a wider conflict, and the U.S. must support our NATO allies and freedom loving people in this moment of extreme peril.”

U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wisconsin) released this statement:

“Putin has violated international law, invading a sovereign and democratic nation that wants peace and independence. Putin’s aggression has been met with sanctions, and his violent attack against Ukraine should be met with stronger sanctions, including a full set of punishing financial, technology, and military sanctions. I stand with the Ukrainian people and I believe we need to continue standing strong with our European allies and NATO by providing them the support they need to hold Putin accountable for the largest invasion of Europe since World War II.”

“I guess the thing that concerns me more than anything is the freedom of the Ukrainian people, and given the current military condition whether they are able to come out of this,” said Rep. Glenn Grothman (R) Wisconsin.

He added, “I think we have to be firm. I think we have to gather together our allies who at this point seem to be united which is a good thing and go from there.”

Jonathan Pylypiv runs a Facebook page to connect Ukrainians in Wisconsin.

He’s been in the US since the age of 8 and is worried about people he knows overseas.

“When you hear sirens in the Capitol of Ukraine and other areas and then see your home city have rockets bombarding it, it’s real. I mean as real as it can be for me,” said Pylypiv who now lives in Kimberly.

Mike Rogers of Oshkosh of Oshkosh have been living in Ukraine full time since 2019.

He spoke with WHBY radio Thursday morning.

“Where I am outside the city I could hear explosions but I couldn’t actually see anything. The car level is pretty low today so you can hear jets up above and we can hear explosions in the distance, but for most of us we can’t see anything right now,” said Rogers, who work involves the military.

Russia has hit Ukraine cities and bases with airstrikes. Dozens of people are dead. Tanks and troops have crossed the border.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg called the attacks a “grave breach of international law.” He called on Russia to end military action and respect Ukraine’s sovereignty.

“A full-scale war in Europe has begun,” Ukrainian presidential adviser Mykhailo Podolyak said. “Russia is not only attacking Ukraine, but the rules of normal life in the modern world.”

CLICK HERE for more on the international response to the attacks.

U.S. President Joe Biden is expected to address the nation Thursday morning. Action 2 News will bring it to you live on air and online.

The president says he will be meeting with leaders of the G7 on imposing “severe sanctions” on Russia.

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