Grothman: Putin Must Be Met with Strength, Not Weakness

Blasts President Biden’s disastrous foreign policy decisions that have weakened America’s standing

WASHINGTON—Subcommittee on National Security Ranking Member Glenn Grothman (R-Wis.) opened today’s hearing on “Defending U.S. Allies and Interests Against Russian Aggression in Eastern Europe” by emphasizing Russia’s planned invasion of Ukraine would deal a blow to free countries around the world. He called for the United States to support Ukraine by supplying defensive weapons, sharing information, and shoring up support with NATO allies. Subcommittee Ranking Member Grothman blasted President Biden’s foreign policy decisions, including the botched Afghanistan withdrawal and lifting sanctions on Nord Stream 2, that have emboldened Russian President Vladamir Putin. He concluded by emphasizing America’s allies are watching and we should stand ready to defend freedom.

Below are Subcommittee Ranking Member Grothman’s remarks as prepared for delivery.

Thank you, Chairman Lynch.

I want to thank each of our witnesses for joining us today.

And I want to thank each of you for your service.

We are here today facing dire circumstances.

A threat to freedom and western values on a scale we have not seen in decades.

There was a slight sign of hope – Russia said it had begun to relocate some troops back to their home garrisons.

But the NATO Secretary General said he has not seen any signs of movement or de-escalation.

And then Putin baselessly claimed there is an active genocide in Eastern Ukraine.

And then the Russian Parliament passed a bill recognizing two Donbas rebel groups.

And it does not appear troops ever moved.

This is not de-escalation.

Words without action ring hollow and Russian words are not to be trusted.

As it stands now, Russia and President Vladimir Putin stand ready to invade Ukraine, topple the most pro-western government Ukraine has ever had, install a puppet government, and deal a blow to free countries around the world.

These are the moves of a ruthless autocrat and must be condemned with the strongest language.

Let me be clear – while an invasion of Ukraine is incompatible with international law and will be met with swift and forceful sanctions from the United States and NATO – no U.S. troops should step foot in Ukraine.

This does not mean we cannot or should not support Ukraine.

The United States and our allies should continue to supply Ukraine with defensive weapons and support.

We should shore up support with our NATO allies – and ensure we speak as one voice.

We should share information – where we can – with Ukraine to help them prepare for any Russian incursion.

Recently declassified information suggested Russia will incorporate information, cyber, and kinetic warfare in its assault on Ukraine.

This could include a false flag operation in which Russia manufactures a cause of war by staging a fake video of a Ukrainian attack on Russians to include actors portraying corpses.

Again, this is not the work of a President, but of an autocrat that should have no role on the international stage.

The Biden Administration has spent months trying to defuse the situation with little to no success.

That is because the President and Secretary Blinken are doing so from a place of weakness.

They surrendered to Putin and dropped sanctions on Nord Stream 2.

They forecasted a lack of desire to implement proactive sanctions against Putin.

They continue to allow NATO allies – particularly Germany – to be easily fractured.

And they continue to beg Putin for diplomacy.

Putin cannot be met with weakness, he must be met with strength.

All of this is of course colored by the disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan.

Putin saw this.

Putin evaluated this.

And Putin saw weakness.

President Biden should have acted immediately.

He should have put immense economic pressure on him to back off.

And he should have shored up support within NATO to permanently block the construction and eventual operation of Nord Stream 2.

We can walk and chew gum at the same time.

We can assist Ukraine, while taking concrete steps to improve our negotiating position with Putin, while preparing to defend NATO.

Now thew world is watching.

The Ayatollah in Iran is watching.

Chinese President Xi is watching.

And North Korean Leader Kim Jong-un is watching.

Weakness in Ukraine, like the world saw in Afghanistan, will be exploited by our enemies.

Weakness poses a threat to Israel, Taiwan, and South Korea.

Our allies are relying on us.

I hope we stand ready to defend freedom.

And I hope we will not simply appease the world’s bullies.

Thank you and I yield back.