U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin Urges Secretary Tillerson to End Ambiguity and Hold Russia Accountable for Military Aggression in Ukraine

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin today joined a group of 13 senators, led by Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), in sending a letter urging Secretary of State Rex Tillerson to end recent ambiguity and affirm the United States’ opposition to Russia’s illegal annexation of Crimea and continued military aggression in eastern Ukraine. The Senators urged Tillerson to hold Russia accountable in his first days as Secretary of State, particularly through vigorous enforcement of current sanctions.

“We are concerned by the recent escalation of violence by Russian-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine and the lack of a clear and consistent policy by the new Administration to deter Russian aggression,” the Senators wrote. “Now that you have assumed your responsibilities as Secretary of State, we encourage you to send a strong signal to Russia that the United States remains resolute in its desire to hold Russia accountable for its illegal annexation and continued military aggression in eastern Ukraine.”

In addition to Baldwin and Blumenthal, Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Al Franken (D-MN), Gary Peters (D-MI), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Jack Reed (D-RI), Bob Casey (D-PA), Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Jeff Merkley (D-OR) also signed the letter.

A copy of the letter is available here.