Utah Reps. Curtis, Stewart and Moore react to Russia launching war on Ukraine

SALT LAKE CITY — Russian President Vladimir Putin unleashed war Wednesday night on his neighbor, Ukraine.

Utah’s congressional delegation responded on Twitter, but Congressmen John Curtis, Chris Stewart, and Blake Moore shared their reactions with KSL NewsRadio’s Dave & Dujanovic.

Rep. John Curtis: A blatant retaliation is ahead

Dave Noriega read Putin’s threat from Moscow early Thursday to the West:

“To anyone who would consider interfering from the outside – if you do, you will face consequences greater than any you have faced in history.”

“What do you make of that, Representative Curtis?”

“I don’t think it’s veiled,” Curtis replied, saying he was in Belgium meeting with European Union leaders who he said are “very, very concerned.”

Curtis predicts Russian cyberattacks for Europe and the United States or “anybody who stands up for Ukrainians.”

“Are you saying we should be involved in the conflict militarily?” Dujanovic asked.

“Clearly, the sentiment here is if one U.S. soldier went into combat, we would enter third world warfare, so nobody is suggesting that,” said Curtis.

He said European lawmakers have a two-part message for the United States:

1. Send a loud message of support to the Ukrainians and
2. “Putin will do what he can get away with. He will judge his next more on reaction to this move,” Curtis said.

 

Rep. Chris Stewart: Nuclear war unlikely

“Can the Russian people do anything about this or do they support [Putin]?” Noriega asked.

“Right now they support him,” Stewart said. “What’s going to break away their support… is if you have week after week of Russians being killed. They should have learned that lesson in Afghanistan.”

“If Putin weren’t in power, would Russia still be doing this, or are these the actions of one crazy man?” Noriega asked.

“Well, I don’t want to say crazy because that indicates he’s doesn’t have his mental faculties and he’s irrational. And I’m not sure that that’s true,” Stewart said. 

Stewart said a nuclear exchange with the West is unlikely as is Putin moving Russian forces past Ukraine and into Poland or other nations but, like Curtis, he said cyberattacks could be coming to the US in retaliation for sanctions against Russia.

“We know he has a fearsome ability regarding cyberattacks in the United States. He’s reminded us of that from time to time.”

 

Rep. Blake Moore: Strengthen allies, NATO

“Hill Air Force Base is in your district, Representative Moore. There’s already is a contingent of the 388 and the 419 Fighter Wings in Germany. Can you brief us up on any new information that might impact those families and our military servicemen and women here in Utah?” Dujanovic asked.

“Yeah, and I’m just getting information. It’s all — everything’s coming in so quickly. We’ve got F-35s [combat aircraft]  moving to Estonia as well,” Moore said. “Strengthening our allied forces, strengthening NATO is still key. I don’t anticipate and I haven’t seen anything that would make it so we anticipate Russia to move beyond Ukraine.”

 

Lee, Romney, and Owens share reactions by tweet:

1/2 Putin’s military ambition is further emboldened by Russia’s stronghold on the European oil and gas market.

— Mike Lee (@SenMikeLee) February 24, 2022

2/2 Yet, President Biden has crippled U.S. energy security over the last year, and now insists Americans stomach higher prices at the pump as war wages in Europe. President Biden’s policies leave the United States and our allies poorer and vulnerable.

— Mike Lee (@SenMikeLee) February 24, 2022

Vladimir Putin’s KGB mentality drives his malevolent obsession for repression and regression: he shamelessly abuses the sovereignty of a democratic nation to foster his foolhardy dream of rebuilding a soviet empire. The response from NATO must be unified and withering.

— Mitt Romney (@MittRomney) February 21, 2022

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

More reactions to Russia’s war on Ukraine:

Utah leaders react to Russia’s military operation in Ukraine

Biden hits Russia with new sanctions, says Putin ‘chose’ war

Dave & Dujanovic can be heard weekdays from 9 a.m. to noon. on KSL NewsRadio. Users can find the show on the KSL NewsRadio website and app, as well as Apple Podcasts and Google Play.