Waltz: Biden Should Arm Ukraine Against Russia

A bipartisan effort made a plea for the Biden Administration to direct help to Ukraine amidst rising tension between the United States and Russia. Florida Rep. Michael Waltz (R), Arizona Rep. Ruben Gallego (D) and Massachusetts Rep. Seth Moutlon (D) all took part in a virtual news conference and discussed the need for President Joe Biden (D) to address Ukraine.

The virtual conference comes after an ABC/Ipsos poll showed that President Biden’s approval rating has taken a significant hit, and one of the concerns detailed in the poll concerns Ukraine.

38% of the people surveyed believed that the President can negotiate on behalf of the United States with Vladimir Putin, which contrasts greatly with the 49% that polled in June.

Rep. Waltz offered a solution to President Biden, arguing that the President should arm Ukraine by providing heavy weapons and economic sanctions against Russia.

“I would love to see - and would encourage and demand – the White House to take stronger moves now,” Waltz said.

Rep. Gallego noted that “the only thing Russia understands is strength,” and he also informed that he had “heard from the administration a couple of times that they’re working on it, to give weapons, to move weapons.”

All three lawmakers assured that if Russia is not convinced against invading Ukraine, the United States and NATO are prepared to help Ukraine by providing weapons and supplies. Moreover, Russia would be hit with economic sanctions in order to evade an invasion.

Specifically, they argued that the Administration cannot simply threaten Russia with economic sanctions. Instead, they urge the Administration to begin setting them up, so they can be levied should Russia try to invade Ukraine.

“If Putin invades, I want him to know he’ll have trouble buying a soda from a vending machine in the next five minutes.”