Iowa and Illinois lawmakers weigh in on Russian invasion of Ukraine

Iowa and Illinois elected officials strongly condemned Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and several called for sanctions and for democratic nations to hold Russian President Vladimir Putin accountable for the invasion.

Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Illinois

On a call with reporters, Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., said in response to a question of whether sanctions announced by President Biden earlier on Thursday go far enough, that he'd "like to see more, and I don't think this is the end of our sanctions regime."

Biden in a speech on Thursday announced new restrictions to block exports of some products to Russia, including semi conductors and other technology needed for military and other critical sectors. Biden also authorized U.S. troops to be deployed to the Baltic area in NATO countries.

"We're not even 24 hours into this invasion of Ukraine," Durbin said. "I want to give the administration the latitude to think through what should be done next, but I would take this war home to Putin and his oligarchs. Let them feel the pain directly. I think we've been playing with kid gloves as far as they're concerned, and I think that this invasion of Ukraine puts an end to that."

Durbin wrote on Twitter that this week he visited Lithuania and talked with U.S. soldiers from Illinois who were training Lithuanian soldiers in a NATO exercise. 

"This week, I had lunch w/ soldiers from Kankakee, Montgomery, & Latham, IL. They are in Lithuania training their soldiers in a NATO exercise. Now, they will awaken to the most dangerous land war in Europe since World War II. We need to stand together for them & thousands more like them. 

"Let me be clear: Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine's sovereign land is a dire threat to the established international order and must be resolutely deterred.

Ukraine and our NATO allies facing ongoing Russian belligerence have strong bipartisan, bicameral support in the U.S. Congress. As someone who who has strong ties to the region, my prayers are with the Ukrainian people and all of Eastern Europe."

Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Illinois

Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Illinois, who is a combat veteran and member of the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee, said the U.S. and allies must "hold (Putin) and his cronies fully, painfully and immediately accountable."

“The human suffering caused — and any blood spilled — as a result of this unjustified and unjustifiable attack on Ukraine’s sovereign territory are solely on Vladimir Putin’s hands. Our nation, our NATO allies and all countries who value human rights, sovereignty and the rule of law must hold him and his cronies fully, painfully and immediately accountable. Vladimir Putin’s unprovoked and inexcusable escalation of this violent invasion will succeed in only one thing: uniting the free world against Russia’s autocratic regime in support of Ukraine’s territorial sovereignty, its people and its right to self-governance.”

Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa

Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, made a more personal statement noting her experience living in Ukraine.

"I first traveled to Ukraine in 1989 as a college student, celebrated when they voted for independence from the Soviet Union in 1991, & served alongside Ukrainians in the Global War on Terror," she tweeted. "Ukraine wants freedom; the free world must stand with them. My prayers are with the Ukrainian people."

Thursday morning, Ernst tweeted again:

"Vladimir Putin is a ruthless thug who seeks to stamp out freedom. He is a brutal autocrat intent on restoring Soviet-era rule if allowed to advance unchecked. The unnecessary bloodshed in Ukraine is on Putin's hands. 

"America and all of our freedom-loving partners around the world, must not only strongly condemn, but swiftly and severely respond and hold Putin accountable for his unjust actions."

After Biden's address to the nation, Ernst issued a statement that called for more sanctions:

"Putin deserves no grace. He is slaughtering innocent people and attempting to overrun a sovereign, freedom-loving nation and partner of the United States. The administration should not be holding back; our adversaries are certainly not. Kick Russia out of the SWIFT banking system, sanction Putin and his oligarch friends directly, and ensure that Ukraine has the lethal firepower necessary to win this fight. Anything less will not stop this autocratic thug."

Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa

In a tweet, Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, said: "Putin is inhumane to benefit his own ego. He has no respect for agreements Russia signed to respect sovereignty of Ukraine. He’s killing innocent people like Stalin did in 1930s.

I’m praying for the ppl of Ukraine"

Illinois 17th Congressional District Rep. Cheri Bustos, D-Illinois

Rep., Cheri Bustos, D-Illinois, a member of the House Appropriations Defense Subcommittee, spoke on News Nation, a subscription television network, to say Americans "must put country over party."

"We are protecting democracy in this. That is what this is about. We know this is far away from us from a miles perspective, but this is about protecting democracy and not allowing a leader like Vladimir Putin to continue to spread his authoritarian ways."

Iowa 2nd Congressional District Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks, R-Iowa

Mariannette Miller-Meeks, R-Iowa, tweeted: "Praying for the people of #Ukraine.

"The U.S. and our allies must immediately impose the strongest possible sanctions on the economies and governments of both #Russia and #Belarus, who has been a willing accomplice to Russia’s invasion.

Anything less is unacceptable"

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker tweeted Wednesday night: "Tonight we stand together in prayer for the people of Ukraine and united in our resolve against the tyranny of a Russian autocrat determined to undermine democracy and threaten peace on the European continent."

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds wrote on Twitter Thursday afternoon:

"We stand with the people of Ukraine currently fighting for freedom and their country's future. I join with leaders across America and the globe in condemning the brutal actions of the Russian military. I ask Iowans to join me in prayer for Ukraine and peace in the world."

Democratic Senate candidate and retired Adm. Mike Franken

Franken, a Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate in Iowa and retired three-star admiral, issued a statement on Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

“I join President Biden in condemning Russian military’s assault against Ukraine,” Franken said. “I trust that actions from our nation, our NATO allies, and other like-minded nations will be swift, significant and focused at Russian leadership. We must hold Russia accountable."