House Republicans are willing to back President Obama in his standoff against Russia in defense of Ukraine, Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-Ill.) said Sunday.
“You’re going to find a House that’s very cooperative with the administration on this,” Kinzinger said on ABC’s “This Week.”
Russian President Vladimir Putin received permission from the country's parliament this week to invade Crimea, a region of Ukraine. U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said on Sunday that the administration is considering "a broad array" of serious repercussions for Russia, including economic sanctions, visa bans and a boycott of the G-8 leadership summit in Russia this summer.
Republicans have been extremely critical of Obama's dealings with Russia, accusing him of being "naive" about Putin's intentions and issuing empty warnings. But Kinzinger, who sits on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said the House GOP will work with Obama to send aid to Ukraine and consider legislation to admit the country into NATO.
“I think it’s important, and I think you’ll see this, to stand very strong with the president and say, ‘We may not be able to respond militarily but we are going to make it clear that Russia is a pariah state, and not just for the next year but for the next decade," he said.