Barack Obama became the last former president to condemn Vladimir Putinis a deadly attack against Ukraine.
Obama, who was president when Russia occupied by Crimea in 2014, issued a scathing statement Thursday after Vladimir Putin ordered the invasion of his Eastern European neighbor in a “brazen attack on the people of Ukraine”.
“The consequences of Russia’s reckless actions extend beyond Ukraine’s borders,” Obama said. “This illegal invasion of the heart of Europe also threatens the foundations of international order and security.
“For some time now, we have seen the forces of division and authoritarianism advancing around the world, stepping up against the ideals of democracy, the rule of law, equality, individual freedom, freedom of expression and worship, and self-determination. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine shows how far these dangerous trends can lead – and why they cannot be left undisputed.
He said he and his wife Michelle would pray for “all who will bear the cost of a senseless war”.
Former President Barack Obama issued a scathing statement Thursday when Russia began a battle with Ukraine for control of the Eastern European country. The 43rd president called it a “brazen attack on the people of Ukraine” that could have global consequences
“The consequences of Russia’s reckless actions extend beyond Ukraine’s borders,” Obama said. “This illegal invasion of the heart of Europe also threatens the foundations of international order and security.”
The 43rd president has had difficult relations with Putin, and has often been criticized for being too lenient with Russia during his rule.
Obama’s senior national security official, James Clapper, said this week that he would like his administration to do more to punish Russia for annexing Crimea in 2014.
Asked if the White House should have been tougher on Putin at the time, the former director of national intelligence told Fox News: “Oh, yes, I do. I wish we as an administration were more aggressive in 2014. ”
Clapper also warned that Russia had become “bolder than it was eight years ago” when it invaded Crimea.
Dozens have been reported dead since the first day of the conflict since Thursday afternoon. Ukrainian servicemen are pictured next to a destroyed Russian armored vehicle outside Kharkiv on February 24, 2022.
James Clapper, who serves Obama as a senior national security official, warned that Russia had become “braver than it was eight years ago” when it invaded Crimea.
During a Senate hearing in January, Biden’s election as Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security also refuted Obama’s White House response to the takeover of Crimea.
Celeste Wolander, Obama’s deputy secretary, said: “I believe our response in 2014 was too slow and too gradual.
“And this is confirmed by the lessons I have learned, and I believe that others in the national security community have learned in order to better cope with Russia’s ongoing aggression.”
She added that in retrospect, “it would be appropriate and necessary to provide” weapons to Ukraine.
Her criticism, while directed at the Obama White House, reflects Biden as its vice president, who was interested in Ukraine among other unappetizing foreign policy tasks.
In a statement, Obama called on others to join him in “strong and clear” condemnation of Russia.
“And every American, regardless of party, must support President Biden’s efforts, in coordination with our closest allies, to impose severe sanctions on Russia – sanctions that impose a real cost on Russia’s autocratic elite,” he said.
“There may be some economic implications of such sanctions, given Russia’s significant role in global energy markets. But this is the price we must be willing to pay to take a stand on the side of freedom.
Also Thursday, former President George W. Bush issued a scathing statement condemning Putin for what he called “the worst security crisis” in Europe since World War II.
Russian President Vladimir Putin this week ordered an invasion of Ukraine in a move that has been widely condemned by world leaders
He said he and his wife Michelle would pray for “all who will bear the cost of a senseless war”.
Putin’s ground and air strikes on the sovereign Slavic state have sparked worldwide outrage, fostering comparisons to Nazi Germany’s invasion of its neighbors in the mid-20th century.
Member of Parliament Michael McCall, a senior Republican in the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said Thursday that “we have not seen anything like this since Hitler invaded Poland.”
Dozens have been killed since Thursday afternoon, and Kiev troops have reportedly lost control of the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone, the site of the infamous nuclear crash, where a sufficiently severe Russian attack could cause a radiation cloud across Europe.
Images of rockets hitting apartments and Ukrainian civilians fleeing armored traffic and praying in public squares were followed by reports of Russian missiles hitting Ukrainian government military bases and airports.
“Russia’s attack on Ukraine is the most serious security crisis on the European continent since World War II,” Bush said in a statement. “I join the international community in condemning Vladimir Putin’s unprovoked and unjustified invasion of Ukraine.
Donald Trump’s conclusions from the takeover attempt have varied dramatically, as he praised Putin’s strategic approach, which began with entering separatist-occupied regions.
“I came in yesterday and there was a TV screen and I said, ‘That’s brilliant,'” Trump said Tuesday in an interview with conservative podcast Buck Sexton. “Putin declares a large part of Ukraine – from Ukraine – Putin declares it independent. Oh, that’s wonderful.
“I said, ‘How smart is that?'” The former US president continued. “And he will come in and be a peacemaker.” This is the strongest peaceful force … We can use this on our southern border. This is the strongest peaceful force I have ever seen. There were more army tanks than I saw. They will keep the peace well.