Representative Adriano Espaillat Statement Condemning President Vladimir Putin’s Decision to Recognize Independence of Eastern Ukrainian Territories

TEL AVIV, ISRAEL -- Representative Adriano Espaillat (NY-13) released the following statement condemning Russian President Vladimir Putin’s recognition of two territories in the Donbass region of Ukraine as independent:

"I condemn Putin’s blatant assault on the freedom and security of Ukraine, a sovereign and independent country. We will seek unity where Putin seeks to divide, and we will speak the truth to counter his disinformation," said Rep. Espaillat.

"After WWII, people from across the world came together to create the United Nations, headquartered in New York. The United Nations was formed to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war and reaffirm faith in fundamental human rights. Importantly, our international system is based on the principle of the sovereign equality of all nations. The UN Charter specifically states that countries 'shall refrain in their international relations from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state.' Vladimir Putin’s desire to return to an era of conquest and violence, threatens the security of Ukraine, Europe, and the world at large.

"We must protect the UN Charter’s values and principles to ensure that all people can live in a peaceful world with freedom and equality. Appeasement policies did not stop authoritarian dictators with expansionist views in the twentieth century, and they will not stop them now. We must work together with our allies to hold Putin and the Russian government accountable, prevent the escalation of conflict, and preserve our international legal system," Espaillat concluded.