Pelosi: Russia’s war merits the “strongest possible” response

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine merits the strongest possible military response and the toughest sanctions, U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Monday, adding that the West should not be deterred by the threat of retaliation from Moscow.

After her visit to Kyiv, Ukraine’s capital, over the weekend, Pelosi held talks Monday in Poland with President Andrzej Duda, a meeting aimed at deepening Washington’s partnership with a key NATO ally as the United States significantly escalates its involvement in Ukraine’s fight against Russian forces.

Pelosi said the “strongest possible military response, the strongest sanctions” are necessary “to make the case that this is not tolerable.”

“We shouldn’t do anything less because of a threat from Russia,” she said. “They have already delivered on their threat that killed children and families, civilians and the rest.”

Russia’s war has placed Poland in a critical position, with an increasing number of American military personnel stationed there. Poland has also become a transit point for weapons and humanitarian aid into Ukraine, and the main destination for Ukrainian refugees.

The Polish government has also been a staunch advocate for harsher sanctions against Russia, including in the energy sector.

After becoming the most senior American official to visit Kyiv since the war began, Pelosi on Sunday vowed to back Ukraine “until victory is won.” She will soon return to Washington, where members of Congress from both parties have called for swift approval of President Joe Biden’s request for more artillery, anti-tank weapons and other hardware for Ukraine.

Pelosi said she also discussed with the U.S. ambassador to Warsaw, Mark Brzezinski, the possible enlargement of NATO’S military presence in Poland as part of “an ongoing conversation about how we support global security.”