February 22, 2022

Cleveland, OH - U.S. Senate candidate Mike Gibbons has released the following statement on Russia's invasion of Ukrainian territory: 

"As someone who grew up in Parma among a vibrant Ukrainian-American community, my thoughts and prayers are with lifelong friends and childhood neighbors who have family in Ukraine.

"Russia's invasion of Ukraine is an unacceptable act of unprovoked aggression and must elicit consequences from the international community. Russia should be isolated politically and economically and face tough economic sanctions. While I am one-hundred percent opposed to the deployment of American troops to Ukraine, Russia's invasion must not go unanswered.

"Joe Biden's policy of appeasement has failed. His statement in January telegraphing a non-response to a "minor incursion" by Russia into Ukraine sent a clear message of weakness to Vladimir Putin.

"From the first day of his Administration, Joe Biden's foreign policy has been weak and incoherent. His disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan showed the world embarrassing images of American retreat, 13 dead American servicemen, and hundreds of American citizens left behind in Afghanistan to this day. He dismantled sanctions on Iran. He greenlit Russia's Nord Stream 2 pipeline while undermining domestic energy production and increasing oil and gas prices on the global market.

"The Trump Administration projected strength around the world and stood strong against Putin's expansionism. Trump allowed Poland to purchase American anti-missile systems and placed tough sanctions on the Nord Stream 2 pipeline. Most importantly, Trump expanded American energy production, making America energy independent, reducing the global price of oil and natural gas, and choking off Putin's money supply.

"Joe Biden's appeasement has led to disastrous results. The world is a safer place when America is strong. Our allies need to be able to trust us, and our enemies need to fear us."