Utah leaders react to Russia’s military operation in Ukraine

SALT LAKE CITY — Some of Utah’s elected leaders are responding to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The comments range from outrage to fear for the safety of the Ukrainian people.

Utah Gov. Spencer Cox’s initial reaction on Wednesday night was a declaration that there is “evil in the world,” and that he was praying for the safety of the Ukrainian people. 

There is evil in this world. Tonight we pray for the safety of those in Ukraine. pic.twitter.com/doKd8f17Ef

— Spencer Cox (@SpencerJCox) February 24, 2022 

By Thursday morning, the Governor’s response was to condemn the invasion.

pic.twitter.com/VgRXPDK7q3

— Utah Gov. Spencer J. Cox (@GovCox) February 24, 2022

 

 Sen. Mike Lee called the invasion cruel and a gross breach of sovereignty. He, too, mentioned that the attack was “evil” and that he condemned it.

The horror of war has again shown its face in Europe. Putin’s cruel attack on the people of Ukraine is a gross breach of sovereignty. I condemn this violence and evil, and pray for the people of Ukraine.

— Mike Lee (@SenMikeLee) February 24, 2022

Rep. Chris Stewart noted what he called the mistaken assumption made by the West over the past ten years, that “an autocratic bully can be a reasonable geopolitical partner.”

The mistake the West has made for more than a decade is to think an autocratic bully can be a reasonable geopolitical partner.

Putin doesn’t want to be part of the current international order. He wants to blow it up.

— Rep. Chris Stewart (@RepChrisStewart) February 24, 2022

Late Wednesday evening, Rep. Burgess Owens tweeted his response, calling the invasion “unprovoked” and that it undermined territorial sovereignty. 

Putin’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine undermines its territorial sovereignty and violates international law. America stands with Ukraine, our NATO allies, and freedom. I’m praying for every man, woman, and child across Ukraine tonight.

— Rep. Burgess Owens (@RepBurgessOwens) February 24, 2022

 On Thursday, Rep. John Curtis tweeted a video message from Brussels, Belgium. He reported a somber, “almost surreal” mood, and noted the consequences that the Russian invasion of Ukraine had for Europe and the world.

I’m in Brussels today and watching these events unfold. I pray for the people of Ukraine and stand with our European allies. pic.twitter.com/vafguD1xWO

— Rep. John Curtis (@RepJohnCurtis) February 24, 2022

On Wednesday night, Utah Sen. Mitt Romney issued the following statement:

“Putin’s Ukraine invasion is the first time in 80 years that a great power has moved to conquer a sovereign nation. It is without justification, without provocation and without honor,” his statement read. “Putin’s impunity predictably follows our tepid response to his previous horrors in Georgia and Crimea, our naive efforts at a one-sided ‘reset,’ and the shortsightedness of ‘America First.’ The ‘80s called’ and we didn’t answer. The peril of again looking away from Putin’s tyranny falls not just on the people of the nations he has violated, it falls on America as well. History shows that a tyrant’s appetite for conquest is never satiated. America and our allies must answer the call to protect freedom by subjecting Putin and Russia to the harshest economic penalties, by expelling them from global institutions, and by committing ourselves to the expansion and modernization of our national defense.”

 

Read more:

• West hits back with sanctions for Russia’s Ukraine actions
• White House calls Russian moves on Ukraine an invasion