STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. – While on Staten Island Thursday, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-New York) told the Advance/SILive.com he’s supportive of the sanctions the Biden Administration has imposed on Russia and believes the president is doing a good job managing the conflict in the Ukraine thus far.
“I’m supportive of what they’re doing,” Schumer said.
The Majority Leader had a classified phone briefing with President Joe Biden Thursday, but said he could not share the details of the conversation.
Earlier in the week Schumer called for an all-Senate briefing -- which took place Thursday evening – and said there will be a classified briefing early next week when he returns to Washington.
Thursday’s unclassified briefing included Secretary of Defense Austin, Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Armed Forces Chief of Staff General Mark Milley, Secretary of the Treasury Janet Yellen, and Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo.
As of Friday morning, Russian troops bore down on Ukraine’s capital with gunfire and explosions resonating even closer to the government quarter, in an invasion of a democratic country that has fueled fears of wider war in Europe and triggered worldwide efforts to make Russia stop.
Schumer called Putin’s invasion of Ukraine unprovoked and immoral.
“Nobody should fall for Putin’s lies that the Ukrainians wanted him to invade or that he was provoked in any way. This is Putin’s reckless war of choice; he made the choice and he alone,” Schumer said.
He continued, “Ukrainians are tough and resilient. I know they’re not going to give up their country without a fierce fight. The United States and our allies have the ability to move forward with swift, forceful, and unified response. Make no mistake about it, the United States stands with the people of Ukraine and NATO and our allies and partners. And together with our allies, the U.S. will ensure that Putin suffers the consequences of his illegal actions.”
The U.S. and other global powers slapped ever-tougher sanctions on Russia as the invasion reverberated through the world’s economy and energy supplies, threatening to further squeeze ordinary households. U.N. officials said they were preparing for millions to flee Ukraine.
Gov. Kathy Hochul said New York will be prepared to accept, support, and welcome Ukrainian refugees who seek shelter in the state.
Ukrainian officials reported at least 137 deaths on the Ukrainian side and claimed hundreds on the Russian one. Russian authorities released no casualty figures, and it was not possible to verify the tolls.
U.N. officials reported 25 civilian deaths, mostly from shelling and airstrikes, and said that 100,000 people were believed to have left their homes and estimated up to 4 million could flee if the fighting escalates.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy pleaded with Russia’s government to hold talks, and with Western powers to act faster to cut off Russia’s economy and provide Ukraine military help.
“When bombs fall on Kyiv, it happens in Europe, not just in Ukraine,” he said. “When missiles kill our people, they kill all Europeans.”
-- Associated Press material was used in this report.
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