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All the way back in 2005, Vladimir Putin said, “The demise of the Soviet Union was the greatest geopolitical catastrophe of the century.” Now, Vladimir Putin’s Russia has launched the largest war in Europe since World War II. If not stopped now, it will only expand until U.S. allies and U.S. troops are dragged in. Senator Grassley wants to prevent that from happening.

Ukraine remains in control of roughly 83% of its territory. This is a remarkable success, thanks to the support of Europe and the United States and the fighting spirit of Ukraine. However, the Ukrainian people could have made progress much faster and at less cost in American dollars if it were not for President Biden’s hesitation at the start of the war.

Notably, much of the Ukraine aid actually goes to beef up the U.S. military, not Ukraine’s. That includes funding for the Iowa Army Ammunition Plant in Burlington, where production has subsequently doubled. Iowa is playing a critical role in keeping America the “arsenal of democracy.” 

As Senator Grassley has warned, appeasement encourages further aggression. The United States must continue to show leadership on the world stage and support a strong national defense.


Like many Iowans, Sen. Grassley is deeply concerned by Russia's unprovoked aggression toward Ukraine, and he has partnered with his fellow lawmakers to support Ukraine and hold Russia accountable.  Here's a summary of his work:

 

Pre-Invasion

  • For years, Grassley has been an outspoken critic of Russia's threats and aggressive actions.
    • After Putin took actions in the Kerch Strait and the Sea of Azov that raised eyebrows in 2019, Grassley joined his colleagues in pushing for a strong response -- including a prompt multinational freedom of navigation operation in the Black Sea and the cancelation of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline.
    • He also warned Putin's intentions have been clear for a long time, and he pledged to continue to seek answers as to how and why the Russian government and other bad actors intend to attack our democracy.
    • On the 100th anniversary of Latvia's independence, he reiterated that their neighbor to the East -- Russia -- is ruled by Putin, who "appears to be stuck in an old fashioned way of thinking that assigns smaller countries to spheres of influence."
    • When Mike Pompeo was nominated to be Secretary of State, Grassley urged him to put a stop to the "diplomatic impulse to make unilateral concessions to Putin in hopes they will be reciprocated."
  • Last year, on the anniversary of then-President Obama and Vice President Biden announcing their so-called Russia reset policy, Grassley called it a "failure" and warned Biden that continuing to go soft of Russia would have dangerous consequences.
  • In early January, Grassley warned Putin’s false and dangerous rhetoric on Ukraine was about to reach a tipping point:
    • “Putin is on the precipice of greatly escalating his war on Ukraine.”
  • Grassley is an active member of the Senate Ukraine Caucus and co-chair of the Baltic Caucus, where he has remained closely engaged with our Baltic allies.
    • When he was named co-chair, Grassley warned that "the current regime in Russia is continuing the Soviet legacy of rewriting history to fit its agenda."
    • In early February, Grassley and his colleagues met with the Lithuanian Delegation to discuss Russian aggression and the impact it will have on the region.
    • After this meeting, Grassley reiterated what he heard from ambassadors from Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland: “They understand Putin best -- if he gets something from threatening Ukraine, he’ll just demand more. We must reinforce NATO and give Ukraine what it needs.”
  • Grassley repeatedly expressed concerns that there would be unnecessary bloodshed if Putin invaded Ukraine.
    • On Fox News, Grassley said, “It's a sad commentary. Ukraine is no threat to Russia. NATO or Europe is no threat to Russia. And there's going to be needless killing of civilians and soldiers in Ukraine.”
  • Before Putin’s unprovoked attack on Ukraine, Grassley joined his colleagues in introducing tough sanctions legislation in an effort to deter Russian aggression.
    • "We need to send a clear message to Putin: A completely unprovoked, violent invasion will come with enormous costs for Russia,” Grassley said.

Post-Invasion

  • Grassley immediately condemned Russia’s assault on Ukraine, calling it “inhumane” and pointing out that Putin is tragically “killing innocent people like Stalin did in the 1930s.”
  • After Russia began indiscriminately bombing Ukraine and murdering innocent civilians, Grassley joined his colleagues in introducing a resolution to hold Putin and his allies accountable for war crimes. This resolution passed the Senate unanimously.
  • Grassley, Ernst and several of their colleagues implored the Treasury, State and Defense departments to immediately investigate and sanction Russia’s Wagner Group.
    • This came after reports indicated that Putin hired hundreds of mercenaries from this group to assassinate Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
  • Grassley also joined an effort to immediately provide Ukraine with aircraft and additional lethal aid. This came after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy spoke with lawmakers and requested these resources.
  • During remarks given on the Senate floor, Grassley urged his colleagues to support sending Ukraine any resources needed to stop Putin’s mass murder, saying “any bureaucratic delays now are unacceptable.”
  • He joined Sens. Ernst, Romney and 40 of his colleagues in urging President Biden to work with Poland and NATO to immediately transfer much-needed airpower and other support to Ukraine.
  • Grassley spoke on the Senate floor to criticize Putin for bombing shopping centers, apartment buildings and hospitals; killing children, pregnant mothers and the elderly; jailing political opponents and those who speak out against him; and taking other horrific actions similar to Stalin and Nazis.
  • Grassley also spoke on the Senate floor to call for victory in Ukraine, "Anything short of a Ukrainian victory is an invitation for future Russian aggression."
  • As co-chairs of the Senate Baltic Freedom Caucus, Grassley joined Senator Durbin to introduce the Baltic Defense and Deterrence Act, which seeks to strengthen security and economic cooperation with the Baltics amid Russian aggression in the region.
  • Grassley introduced a bipartisan proposal that would backfill weaponry for certain NATO countries supporting Ukraine, with the goal of encouraging donations of additional capabilities.
  • The Justice for Victims of War Crimes Act, led by Grassley and Durbin, seeks to send a clear message that war criminals from any country are not welcome in the United States.
    • After a U.N. report found evidence of war crimes committed by Russia in Ukraine, Grassley and Durbin renewed their call for this legislation.
  • Grassley supported a critical aid package that bolsters the U.S. military both at home and abroad, while also providing Ukrainians with additional arms and ammunition to continue countering Putin's genocidal war.
  • Grassley signed on to a letter sent to the Secretary of Defense, urging him to send more advanced artillery rocket systems and ammunition to Ukraine. The systems are vital in Ukraine's defense against Russia's brutal invasion.

Economic Response

  • Grassley urged Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen to ensure the department is doing everything it can to block Russia’s access to financing through the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
  • Sens. Grassley and Rubio introduced legislation to sanction all Russian state-owned enterprises. The HEROIAM SLAVA Act, named after the iconic Ukrainian rallying cry and symbol of national resistance, would deny companies controlled or owned by Moscow – such as Rosneft, Gazprom, Rosatom, Aeroflot and RT – access to critical American capital as they fund Vladimir Putin’s war efforts.
  • Grassley requested and received an immediate briefing on Task Force KleptoCapture, which was developed by the Department of Justice to enforce the sanctions, export restrictions and economic countermeasures that the U.S. has imposed on Russia.
  •   Along with Senator Rubio, Grassley is co-leading an effort to reauthorize Global Magnitsky sanctions. This law provides the president with the authority to leverage economic sanctions against any party responsible for “gross violations of internationally recognized human rights” against human rights defenders or individuals exposing government corruption.  
    • It is reported that Vladimir Putin detests the law, while the late pro-democracy leader Boris Nemtsov, who was killed likely on Putin’s orders, called the Magnitsky Act “the most pro-Russian law in the history of any foreign Parliament” because it targets those in the Putin regime who oppress Russian citizens.

Energy Response

  • Grassley helped introduce legislation that would halt all imports of Russian oil, saying “there is no reason we should be supporting any sector of Russia’s economy” as they continue bombing Ukraine and murdering innocent civilians.
  • Grasley helped introduce the American Energy Independence Act of 2022, which seeks to return American energy to full production. As Putin’s unprovoked attack on Ukraine makes matters worse for energy costs at home, this bill takes critical steps to lower gas prices and unleash energy production right here in the United States.
  • Grassley joined the Iowa delegation in urging the EPA to ramp up biofuel production to secure American energy independence.
    • “As conflict continues in the region, we urge the Biden administration to expand the production and potential export of domestic ethanol and biodiesel to meet global energy needs,” the Iowa delegation wrote.
  • After the U.S. officially moved to ban Russian oil, and the price of gas continues hitting new record highs, Grassley joined Ernst and a bipartisan group of senators in introducing legislation to replace this banned oil with clean-burning, American-made renewable fuels that are available right now.
    • "Iowa producers stand ready to meet the moment and ramp up production to lower gas prices for families across the country,” Grassley said.
  • They also urged President Biden to permit the year-round sale of E15 fuel to restore American energy independence.
    • In their letter, the lawmakers noted that biofuels are a clean and reliable energy solution that can help drive down fuel costs for consumers who are facing record-high prices at the pump.

OFFICIAL STATEMENTS:

11.13.2023 | Grassley Warns of Weakness in U.S. Foreign Policy

11.09.2023 | Grassley Discusses Religious Persecution by Occupying Forces in Ukraine

02.16.2023 | Putin is an Imperialist Who Must Be Stopped Now or He Will Become More Dangerous

02.15.2023 | President Biden Should Stop Holding Back and Go All In for Victory in Ukraine