Before deploying troops to Ukraine, legislators are urging Biden to seek Congressional authorization

Bipartisan lawmakers urged President Biden on Tuesday to seek congressional authorization before deploying the troops to Ukraine.

In response to the escalating tensions between Russia and Ukraine, 43 members of Congress wrote Biden a letter.

Putin's recognition of two separatist regions of Ukraine as independent entities has fueled fears of an invasion led by Moscow.

Members of Congress, led by Rep. Peter DeFazio (D-Ore.), and Rep. Warren Davidson (R-Ohio), acknowledged that Biden publicly stated that the U.S. would not involve its armed forces in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

As a result of the current situation, if the dear men and women of the U.S. military are sent to Ukraine, they would inherently have their lives at risk if Russia chooses to invade. Accordingly, please consult with Congress before any such move to receive authorization in accordance with our nation's laws and the Constitution."

Biden said at the time that it would depend on what the other NATO countries would be willing to do as well. However, unilateral force from the United States to confront Russia's invasion of Ukraine is not realistic at this time.

“There’s not. That’s a world war when Americans and Russia start shooting at one another,” Biden said.

Stoltenberg stated that NATO will not deploy combat troops to Ukraine. In particular, "We need to be certain that there is no misinterpretation about our commitment to defend and protect all allies, particularly in the eastern part of the alliance."

“This is the beginning of a Russian invasion of Ukraine,” Biden said. “Russia has now undeniably moved against Ukraine by declaring these independent states.”

23 Jan 2022