In response to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s aggression on Ukraine, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) called for “destroy the ruble, and crush the Russian petroleum and gas sector“.
Graham made the call via a Twitter thread that was posted following Putin’s national address, in which he acknowledged the independence of the Donetsk People’s Republic area of Ukraine and the Luhansk People’s Republic.
Graham wrote, “When it comes Putin disrupting the world order and destroying democracy – enough is enough.”
The Republican from South Carolina said that Putin’s decision to declare eastern Donetsk, Luhansk, as independent regions within Ukraine was both a violation and a declaration against the people.
Graham said that Graham should immediately impose severe sanctions on his decision to destroy the ruble, and to crush the Russian oil-and-gas sector.
With Putin’s recognition that separatist governments are likely to lead to conflict, the situation in Ukraine is now dire.
An American official warned the United Nations that Russia had created a list of Ukrainians to be “killed or sent to camps after a military occupation.”
The Washington Post reported that Bathsheba Cross, the U.S. ambassador at the United Nations sent a letter to U.N. Human Rights Chief.
Crocker wrote, “I would like you to be aware of disturbing information recently obtained from the United States that suggests that human rights violations are being planned in the aftermath a further invasion.” These acts, which have been used in Russian operations in the past, include targeted killings, kidnappings/forced disappearedances, unjust imprisonments and torture. They would likely target anyone who opposes Russian actions, such as journalists, anti-corruption activists and dissidents from Russia and Belarusian exiles in Ukraine.
She warned that “specifically, we have credible evidence that Russian forces are creating lists identifying Ukrainians to die or be sent to camps after a military occupation.” We also have credible information that Russian forces may use lethal means to disperse peaceful protests and counter peaceful acts of resistance from civilian populations.
An invasion by Russia into Ukraine could spark a European war of the nations.
