Over 100,000 Russian troops have amassed on the Ukrainian border and the Biden administration is warning Russia not to invade Ukraine. Congressional candidate Casey Wardynski (R-Huntsville) said recently that the U.S. should not go to war to defend Ukraine’s territorial sovereignty.
Wardynski made the comments while on the “Politics and Moore” radio show this weekend, with guest host Rep. Andrew Sorrell.
When asked about his priorities should he be elected, the former Assistant Secretary of the Army said, “I’m a big Trump supporter and a big supporter of the America First agenda. I was in his administration in Washington, and I think we need to finish a lot of that up. None of that included going to war with Russia over Ukraine...This is a peaceful country. We need to stop these needless engagements, the forever wars. I was an Army officer for 30 years, Assistant Secretary of the Army…I can’t find one good reason why we need to be making Russia our enemy.”
Sorrell and Wardynski continued to discuss retired Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn’s endorsement of the latter, as well as the priority of defending rights and personal liberties.
The White House announced that President Joseph R. Biden (D) held a secure video call with European leaders on Monday. They reiterated their continued concern about the Russian military build-up on Ukraine’s borders and expressed their support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. The leaders underscored their shared desire for a diplomatic resolution to the current tensions and reviewed recent engagements with Russia in multiple formats. The leaders also discussed their joint efforts to deter further Russian aggression against Ukraine, including preparations to impose massive consequences and severe economic costs on Russia for such actions as well as to reinforce security on North Atlantic Treaty Organization's (NATO) eastern flank. They committed to continued close consultation with transatlantic Allies and partners, including working with and through the European Union (EU), NATO, and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE).
Participants in the call included European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, European Council President Charles Michel, President Emmanuel Macron of France, Chancellor Olaf Scholz of Germany, Prime Minister Mario Draghi of Italy, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg, President Andrzej Duda of Poland, and Prime Minister Boris Johnson of the United Kingdom.
Also on Monday, the State Department ordered the evacuation of the families and non-essential staff from the U.S. embassy in Kyiv given the growing possibility that Russian forces may attempt to occupy the country.
Some European leaders have volunteered to transfer anti-tank missiles to Ukraine but have asked Washington to approve the move and the administration has hesitated.
Congressman Mike Rogers (R-AL03) said on social media, “Biden administration bureaucracy and red-tape is putting Ukrainian security at risk. I fear that an Afghanistan-like event in Europe is looming. Give the Europeans the green light, Mr. President.”
The Biden administration transferred $640 million in weapons aid to Ukraine in 2021 – the most in years.
Many European countries are dependent on Russian oil and natural gas and are reluctant to take bold action on Russia because they are dependent on the flow of Russian fossil fuels to heat their homes this winter.
Congressman Gary Palmer (R-AL06) said that the Biden Administration’s energy policies have emboldened Russian President Vladimir Putin and have contributed to this crisis.
“The Biden Administration continues to back Russian energy resources while shutting down American ones,” Palmer said on social media. “This makes us more dependent on foreign resources, which takes away jobs here in America, worsens our economic crisis, and weakens our position in the world.”
White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said, “President Biden has been clear with the Russian President: If any Russian military forces move across the Ukrainian border, that’s a renewed invasion, and it will be met with a swift, severe, and united response from the United States and our Allies. President Biden also knows from long experience that the Russians have an extensive playbook of aggression short of military action, including cyberattacks and paramilitary tactics. And he affirmed today that those acts of Russian aggression will be met with a decisive, reciprocal, and united response.”
Dr. Evelyn N. Farkas served as deputy assistant secretary of defense for Russia, Ukraine, Eurasia in the Obama administration, and as former senior advisor to the Supreme Allied Commander, NATO.
“When this week’s talks end and Moscow moves its military forward, the United States and our allies around the world must take all of the steps the Biden administration has laid out including sanctions, export controls of technologies, and arming Ukraine,” Dr. Farkas wrote. “But that’s not enough. Biden should go to the United Nations immediately to rally the global community of nations. We must build a new coalition of the willing to enforce the state sovereignty enshrined in the UN Charter.”
Farkas is calling for a “coalition of the willing” to go to war to drive the Russians out of Ukraine and Georgia, where portions of both countries are occupied by Russia, including the Crimean Peninsula.
Former Trump Administration National Security Advisor Gen. Michael Flynn opposes war with Russia and is urging de-escalation.
“The United States and the Russian Federation are great nations. However, these great nations each have thousands of nuclear weapons that could kill hundreds of millions,” Flynn said. “With those as the stakes, it would be wise for Biden and Blinken to listen to what Putin is saying and consider why Russia believes its vital national interests are at risk. If the United States has no comparable national interest to that of Russia, that should be the basis for de-escalation.
“War is not fair — it is not meant to be — and a looming war with Russia would be anything but fair. Take that to the bank, if you can find one after a nuclear exchange.”
Flynn has endorsed Wardynski.
Wardynski faces a crowded Fifth Congressional District field, that includes Harrison Wright, John Roberts, Dale Strong, Andy Blalock. And Paul Sanford.
A three federal judge panel has declared that Alabama’s Congressional District map violates the Voting Rights Act of 1965 and has ordered the state to redraw the districts to create a map with two majority Black districts. Since most Alabamians do not live in racially monolithic communities, it will take a lot of racial gerrymandering to produce a map that complies with the court orders. The court has also ordered that candidates qualifying for congressional races be extended to Feb. 11. All seven of Alabama’s congressional districts change when the State Legislature complies with their federal orders. Five districts will become much Whiter and more Republican-leaning than they are now, while one district should switch from a safe Republican majority White district to a leans Democrat majority Black district. Many Alabamians will be represented next year by a different Congressmember than they are today.
The AL-5 Republican primary election will be held on May 24, 2022.
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