Maine’s junior senator warned Tuesday other countries are watching as the U.S. and its allies look to deter Russia from invading neighboring Ukraine.
Sen. Angus King, I-Maine, pointed to the broader implications of a possible conflict between Russia and Ukraine in a Tuesday interview with MSNBC. It comes amid ongoing diplomatic efforts to prevent a conflict in eastern Europe, and as lawmakers here discuss sanctions aimed at preventing further escalation.
“If Putin is allowed to go into Ukraine without serious opposition, what about Estonia, Latvia, Poland, the other countries that are on his border?” King said. “Clearly he wants to reconstitute the Soviet Union.”
The Maine senator, an independent who caucuses with the Democrats, praised the “unity” shown between the U.S. and NATO allies, saying he thought such a display had “surprised” Russian President Vladimir Putin.
He added that other countries around the world were watching the situation “very carefully,” saying that China could be empowered in its posturing toward Taiwan if there was not “serious resistance” toward Russia’s recent plans.
King and Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, both warned of Russian aggression last week after members of Congress received a classified briefing on the issue. Russia has mounted more than 100,000 troops at the Ukrainian border this winter while demanding NATO back off relationships with eastern European countries, including Ukraine. U.S. officials have warned of a potentially imminent invasion while continuing diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict.