Congressman Mo Brooks (AL-05) is an original cosponsor of Congressman Michael Burgess’ (R–TX) resolution, H.Con.Res. 76, expressing the U.S. Congress’s sense that Russian Dictator Vladimir Putin should be charged with war crimes if any harm befalls Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the hands of Russian forces.
Since Russia's invasion of the territory of Ukraine on Feb 24, the United States and the European Union have imposed sanctions on Russia following Russian President Vladimir Putin’s decision to declare two separatist regions in eastern Ukraine as independent. According to multiple reports, Russian troops immediately crossed into Ukraine on Putin’s orders to “recognize” the two territories. President Joseph R. Biden (D) has issued an executive order that bars investment, trade and financial transactions with the two regions.
The resolution calls for the International Criminal Court to begin proceedings, charging Putin with war crimes if Zelensky is harmed. There are no provisions for forgiving.
“Vladimir Putin is an evil dictator,” Brooks said. “He has a long track record of poisoning and imprisoning political opponents. He has viciously brought war to the peaceful Ukrainian people. He’s a tyrant akin to the worst in world history, such as the murderous Adolph Hitler, Mao Zedong, Joseph Stalin, and Pol Pot. The United States and freedom-loving nations worldwide must confront him as such. If his vicious, unprovoked attack on Ukraine results in one scratch on Ukrainian President Zelensky, Putin should be charged with war crimes and brought to justice.”
Brooks, along with U.S Senator Tommy Tuberville, has been critical of the West’s less-than-firm dealings with Russia ln the prelude to the invasion.
“History teaches us that dictators are emboldened when freedom-loving countries do nothing to confront them,” Brooks said. “Putin must face stiff consequences for his diabolical actions, or he’ll continue wreaking havoc. I support making life as hellish as possible for Putin and his oligarchical cronies, and I urge the Russian people to bravely stand up and do what America regularly does: replace our political leaders. Putin has terrorized long enough.”
Tensions in Ukraine continue to rise, with the continued bombing of strategic Ukrainian cities amid scattered talks of ceasefires for the exfiltration of citizens and foreigners. The invasion continues to trudge on while world leaders across the globe have imposed strict sanctions against the Russian Government and its people.
The first lady of Ukraine, Olena Zelenska said in an open letter on her Facebook page that Putin had drastically underestimated the people of Ukraine.
"The first newborn of the war, saw the concrete ceiling of the basement, their first breath was the acrid air of the underground, and they were greeted by a community trapped and terrorized,” Zelenska said. “At this point, there are several dozen children who have never known peace in their lives,
“And with this letter, I testify and tell the world: the war in Ukraine is not a war somewhere out there," Zelenska said. “This is a war in Europe, close to the EU borders. Ukraine is stopping the force that may aggressively enter your cities tomorrow under the pretext of saving civilians. Last week to me and my people, this would have seemed like an exaggeration, but it is the reality we’re living in today. And we do not know how long it will last. If we don't stop Putin, who threatens to start a nuclear war, there will be no safe place in the world for any of us.”
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