West DSM News

U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst wrote a column Jan. 20 that criticizes the administration of President Joe Biden for failing to ensure the safety of American citizens in Ukraine.

The criticism from Ernst comes after Russia positioned itself to invade all of Ukraine.

"Today, Vladimir Putin is knocking on the door of Ukraine, our trusted partner," Ernst writes in her column, which appears on her website. "The United States, under Joe Biden's leadership, has failed to de-escalate the conflict and stop Putin's imperial march. In fact, they have done quite the opposite."

Russia moved troops and military equipment to the Ukraine/Russia border in October 2021 without much of an explanation, sparking potential invasion concerns. In Dec. 2021, Russia then issued a list of demands which stated Ukraine could not enter the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and also demanded a reduction of NATO troops and military equipment in Europe in order for its military to retreat. The U.S. and NATO said they weren't willing to abide by their demands and warned they would retaliate in ways such as through economic sanctions if Russia invades Ukraine, according to Global Conflict Tracker.

"The president has not maximized his options for defensive weapons sales to Ukraine, and Putin knows it," Ernst said. "He also knows the Biden administration lobbied Democrats to reverse course and vote against Nord Stream 2 sanctions, necessary actions to prevent the handover of Western Europe's energy security to the Russian regime. There have been extensive assurances by Biden's amateurish national security team that reactivating sanctions in the event of a Russian invasion of Ukraine are sufficient to force de-escalation, but unfortunately, they’re being proven wrong."

Ernst argued that Biden is not respected and that the writing is on the wall if we look at what's going on across the pond. With Putin on the brink of a Ukraine invasion, Chinese President Xi Jinping testing hypersonic missiles to ruin Taiwan, Kim Jon Un testing four ballistic missiles recently and "Iran-backed proxies" that have shown support for attacking the United Arab Emirates and U.S. Embassy in Baghdad since the new year began, Ernst said the president is lacking leadership at a time where it is needed now more than ever.

"So, Mr. President, the American people are asking you to fulfill your constitutional obligation and take necessary steps to protect our nation," Ernst said. "Congress is ready to provide support to Ukraine and prosecute sanctions against Russia to punish its aggression against its neighbors.

"Are you hearing us? If not, we can only conclude you've stopped leading us."