WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representative Richard Hudson (R-NC), Chairman of the Committee on Political Affairs and Security of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe Parliamentary Assembly (OSCE PA), released the following statement on Russia:
"Vladimir Putin’s moves in the last 24 hours represent a second invasion of Ukraine. He is in clear violation of international law and the fundamental principles of the Helsinki Final Act. The United States and our European allies have been committed to diplomacy and provided Mr. Putin with every opportunity to deescalate, and he has met our good faith overtures with the drums of war.
"The Kremlin’s aggression must be met with a swift, strong, and unified response. Serious sanctions against Putin are an important first step, and should be enacted immediately. But they are only a down payment on our broader commitments to defend Europe and international peace. Our unity and determination may make all the difference in the difficult days ahead."
Background
Today, Germany announced it will halt certification of Russia's Nord Stream II gas pipeline. Rep. Hudson has long warned of the consequences of allowing the pipeline to continue. In May, he sponsored a resolution opposing the Biden administration's approval of it. This built on efforts by Rep. Hudson to secure an amendment opposing the pipeline adopted in 2018 by the OSCE PA in what was called the Berlin Document.
Rep. Hudson has served as a U.S. Representative on the international Helsinki Commission since 2015 and as Chairman of the OSCE PA Committee on Political Affairs and Security since 2020. The Helsinki Commission was formed following passage of the Helsinki Final Act, an agreement signed by 35 nations that concluded the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe held in Helsinki, Finland.