Unusually strong words were heard from Colorado Democrats on Thursday in response to Russia’s attack on Ukraine while Republicans in the state, though most condemned Russia’s actions, used the occasion to criticize President Joe Biden.
“There’s a special place in hell for people like Vladimir Putin,” U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette, a Democrat from Denver, said in a statement, referring to the Russian president. “By launching a full-blown, unprovoked, unjustifiable attack on the people of Ukraine, Vladimir Putin – and Vladimir Putin alone – is responsible for the catastrophic loss of life and unprecedented destruction that this war will bring.”
DeGette added that the U.S. and allies will ensure Russia “pays a tremendous price for its actions.”
In contrast, Rep. Lauren Boebert, a Republican from Silt, issued an “America First” statement that avoided using Putin’s name.
“America’s energy independence has never been more important to our economy, national security and the safety for our allies throughout the world,” she said in the statement, which she released Wednesday night, then recited in a video posted Thursday on Twitter. “How many times will Democrats fail to recognize that the instability of world affairs and economic shocks come at the hands of dictators who fuel their terror on the world stage with dollars we and our allies are forced to spend on their oil and gas exports?”
Boebert called on the Biden administration to “immediately unleash our national energy production capabilities.”
Russian military forces began attacking several Ukrainian cities and towns on Thursday in a broad, three-front incursion.
Besides Boebert, Colorado’s two other Republican members of Congress condemned Russia’s invasion but were also quick to fault Biden.
“Weakness invites aggression,” Rep. Doug Lamborn of Colorado Springs tweeted. “Although the blood of innocent Ukrainians is on Putin’s hands, it is Joe Biden’s failures that set the stage.”
Rep. Ken Buck of Windsor referred to Russia’s “unprovoked invasion into Ukraine” on Thursday, but also blamed Biden for failing to show strength, said Kyle Clark with 9News.
Some influential far-right figures in Colorado went so far as to voice explicit support for the invaders.
“I’ll stand on the side of Russia right now, 100%, two times on Sunday,” election denier and podcaster Joe Oltmann declared on his “Conservative Daily” show.
Michelle Malkin, who has a national media presence and lives in Colorado Springs, retweeted a post about “illegal immigrants” entering the United States and wrote, “Here’s the INVASION Americans should care about first.”
Democratic U.S. Rep. Jason Crow of Aurora, on the other hand, called the invasion of Ukraine “not just a violation of international law but also a tyrannical, unprovoked act of aggression against a free and sovereign democratic nation,” and he highlighted five specific steps the U.S. should take in response. They include shutting Russia off from the international financial system, preparing to care for Ukrainian refugees and swiftly realigning NATO’s military posture in Europe.
Other Colorado officials who remarked on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine:
U.S. Rep. Joe Neguse: “Putin bears full responsibility for this unprovoked attack against Ukraine, a blatant violation of sovereignty that shakes the foundations of international security. Working with our allies, we must stand for the rule of law and impose severe sanctions that hold Russia accountable.”
Gov. Jared Polis: “Ruthless dictator Vladimir Putin’s Russian military aggression in Ukraine violates the freedoms we uphold in our nation and support around the globe. Colorado stands on the side of freedom … I join leaders of our federal delegation in urging Congress to immediately suspend the federal gas tax and double down on a rapid clean energy transition to ensure that our energy future cannot be tied to geopolitical conflicts and global commodities.”
U.S. Sen. John Hickenlooper: “Ukraine is under attack. This is the largest invasion of Europe since WWII. We stand ready to support the people of Ukraine — you’re not alone. Working with our allies, we must enact crippling sanctions and show Putin the consequences of his tyranny will be devastating for Russia.”
U.S. Sen Michael Bennet: “Putin’s corrupt and self-serving distortion of history and disregard for international law has upended the post WWII order. His violent path will result in grave consequences not only for the Ukrainian people but for the Russian people as well … We should impose the full weight of economic sanctions right now, explore options to bolster the Ukrainian resistance, and stand resolute in our support of democracy and the rule of law.”
State Rep. Richard Holtorf, an Akron Republican: “We have the largest land invasion since World War II by the Russian army against the free country of Ukraine.” Holtorf asked House Speaker Alec Garnett for a moment of silence “to show our support for the Ukrainian people,” a request Garnett granted.
State Rep. Matt Gray, a Broomfield Democrat: “My mind this morning is with the people who live in Ukraine right now. … I just think about each and every individual who is living with incredible uncertainty and fear this morning, and whatever empathy we can show for them I think would be great.”
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