Leaders with Texas ties react to Russia's attack on Ukraine

AUSTIN (KXAN) — As Russia carried out a full-scale invasion of Ukraine on Thursday, leaders across the globe are reacting to the news and showing their support for Ukraine — including leaders here in Texas.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said on social media the state stands with the Ukrainian people:

"The State of Texas stands with the people of Ukraine in their fight for sovereignty. May God bless them and keep them safe. The United States must do all we can to repel Putin's invasion."

U.S. Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) said in a statement America has a responsibility to support Ukraine, and our credibility is on the line.

“America stands with Ukraine, and we will do everything we can to help them defend themselves against the Russian Federation. The United States has played no part in creating this crisis, but we have a responsibility to support the Ukrainian people as they fight to defend their own sovereignty. Putin has tried to get away with as much as he can, and it would be naïve to think that he will stop at Ukraine. Ukraine is on the front line of a crisis, but the security of Europe is also in question. This is not just about Ukraine. This is not just about Europe. This is about America’s credibility and that of our friends and allies around the world and our willingness to stand up for our values and defend our freedoms. If the U.S. fails to support Ukraine, other authoritarian movements like those in China and Iran will take note.”

U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) issued a statement after the Biden administration rescinded sanctions waivers it gave to Nord Stream 2 AG, the company responsible for the planning, construction and operation of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline and its principals.

“President Biden made the right decision today. Allowing Putin's Nord Stream 2 to come online would have created multiple, cascading, and acute security crises for the United States and our European allies for generations to come. Today's announcement is critical to preventing such scenarios. Today’s announcement should be followed by additional steps inside the Biden administration and in Congress to permanently lock in sanctions. Putin believes that Nord Stream 2's activation is a fait accompli now that it has been physically completed, and that any barriers or sanctions are only temporary. His aggression toward Ukraine is based on that assessment, and the only way to change his decision calculus is to convince him Nord Stream 2 will never come online. Meanwhile, our Ukrainian allies are on the front lines this very moment bravely facing down Russian forces. For months they have been pleading with us to help them by, first, locking in exactly these sanctions on Nord Stream 2 and, second, providing them with the lethal aid they need to defend themselves. President Biden has now taken positive steps in both areas, but much more still needs to be done to deter and counter the threat that Putin poses to our allies in Ukraine and across Europe.”

U.S. Rep. Michael McCaul (TX-10) released a joint statement with two other Republican leaders, calling Putin "true evil" and saying they're committed to enacting the strongest possible sanctions against Russia:

“The last few hours have laid bare for the world to witness the true evil that is Vladimir Putin. Today, we stand resolute with the Ukrainian people and resolve to provide them with the tools they need to withstand and repel this unprovoked attack. Every drop of Ukrainian and Russian blood spilled in this conflict is on Putin’s hands, and his alone. In response, we are committed to enacting the strongest possible sanctions and export controls to cripple Russia’s ability to make war, punish its barbarity and relegate the Putin regime to the status of an international pariah. We cannot respond like we did in 2008 or 2014. The world must never forget or forgive this heinous act.”

U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro (TX-20) called Russia's actions "an assault on Ukrainian sovereignty," and a "dangerous threat" to international order"

“Russia’s deployment of conventional military forces into Ukrainian territory and illegal recognition of its proxy entities on Ukrainian land constitute an unprovoked further invasion of Ukraine. These actions are an assault on Ukrainian sovereignty, a dangerous threat to the rules-based international order and UN charter, and are a transparent pretext for launching a full conventional military assault on the rest of Ukraine, which would inflict a horrific human cost. I strongly supported our diplomatic efforts to prevent a full-scale invasion from occurring. Tragically, Vladimir Putin appears to have rejected the path of diplomacy and instead chosen to inflict further suffering on innocent Ukrainian and Russian people."

Castro went on to say in his statement he "strongly" supports Ukraine's right to protect its people.

“I strongly support Ukraine’s right to self-defense. The United States must ensure the Ukrainian people have what they need to defend their country, their homes, their families, and their democracy. We must also support the Ukrainians who are inevitably displaced in the refugee crisis Russia is creating. The United States will be ready to lead the world through the economic impacts of this crisis — particularly on global energy and food prices that could be affected by Russian aggression.”

U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett (TX-35) said he stands with Ukraine. As a member of the Ukraine Caucus, Doggett said he's seen firsthand what Ukrainians have had to endure. He also said America should supply more weapons and resources to Ukraine, in addition to the sanctions President Joe Biden is imposing on Russia.

“I stand with Ukraine. Here, deep in the heart of Texas, we have few Ukrainian Americans but so many neighbors who believe in freedom. That’s what is at stake now—defending freedom or yielding to a thuggish invasion. As a member of the Ukraine Caucus and from visiting Ukraine myself, I have learned firsthand what generations of Ukrainians have endured. Having fought and paid dearly for their freedom, they now refuse to be drug backwards toward Stalinism by Putin, when all they really want is just to be left alone by their aggressive Russian neighbor.

Coordinating with our allies, President Biden has taken strong first steps, but much more is needed. Sanctions alone will not be sufficient. America should supply more weapons and intelligence to Ukraine and should make clear now that we will continue that support to Ukrainian fighters even if Putin occupies much of the country. Any weaker response will only encourage Putin to undermine additional countries and other tyrants to take what is not theirs by force. Let us honor the courage and steadfastness of the Ukrainian people by remaining steadfast in our support of them, even if we Americans must pay a price for resisting tyrants who attack their neighbors.”

Former President George W. Bush said in a statement he joins in condemning Putin's "unprovoked and unjustified" actions against Ukraine:

"Russia’s attack on Ukraine constitutes the gravest security crisis on the European continent since World War II. I join the international community in condemning Vladimir Putin’s unprovoked and unjustified invasion of Ukraine. The American government and people must stand in solidarity with Ukraine and the Ukrainian people as they seek freedom and the right to choose their own future. We cannot tolerate the authoritarian bullying and danger that Putin poses. Ukraine is our friend and democratic ally and deserves our full support during this most difficult time."

KXAN will continue to add to this story as more Texas leaders comment on the Ukraine crisis.