“My heart hurts for the people of Ukraine. This senseless and unprovoked war is the natural next step in Putin’s quest to build his corrupt legacy, but acts like this have no place in our international order. It is incumbent on those of us who value peace, democracy, the rule of law, individual liberties, and self-determination to hold Putin and his band of malign supporters to account. It is imperative that we stop Putin and similar actors in their tracks, but we have to do so while minimizing harm to the American people, the many Russians who do not support their un-democratically elected leader’s actions, and our Allies. This task is not easy, but with the right people in place, it can—and must—be done.
As Americans, we assume the responsibility of leading our Allies in defending democracy wherever it is at risk. But that responsibility creates the need for effective leaders at every level of our government. Having been in the room to negotiate with foreign leaders who—like Putin—abhor freedom and Western values, I know what it takes to get the job done. This moment calls for courage, expertise, experience, and calculation. I am ready to tackle this and a host of other critical issues in January 2023. For now, I pray for the people of Ukraine, and I stand with our brave diplomats, military personnel, and those defending democracy around the globe.”
Original source can be found here.
