In Rare Unity, U.S. Senate Unanimously Condemns Putin as War Criminal

The US Senate on March 15, 2022 unanimously passed a resolution condemning Russian President Vladimir Putin as a war criminal. For an often divided Congress, this rare show of unity highlights the overwhelming support for Ukraine and condemnation of Putin and Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Introduced by Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, the resolution, backed by both parties, requested that the International Criminal Court investigate the Russian military for war crimes.

Democratic Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said in a speech on the Senate floor, “All of us in this chamber joined together, with Democrats and Republicans, to say that Vladimir Putin cannot escape accountability for the atrocities committed against the Ukrainian people".

News from Ukraine points to a shift in Russia’s strategy, which has become more deadly for civilians. As Russian forces have stalled outside major cities like Kyiv, Mariupol, and Mykolaiv, they have increased shelling of cities and civilian buildings. One captured Russian pilot recently admitted to targeting Ukrainian civilians. Many more stories of injured civilians continue to come in from Ukraine.

An image of a wounded pregnant woman being moved by stretcher from a maternity hospital in Mariupol has become the face of Russian bombing. Last week Russia bombed the maternity ward where she was receiving care. Since then, both her and her baby have died. Russian fire also bombed a nine-story residential apartment building in the northern Obolonskiy district of Kyiv, killing two more people, authorities said.

As these atrocities continue, Americans continue to stay united against Putin and his invasion of Ukraine.

Read More About the Resolution Here