WASHINGTON--The situation in Ukraine drew the attention of several members of Congress who addressed CUNA’s GAC, both of whom believe the United States can do more.
Rep. Tom Emmert (R-MN) said the United States “can’t allow crazy dictators to upset the geopolitical balance around the world. We are going to have to figure out how to help our allies in Ukraine. I’m concerned once you let someone like this move, what does this mean for the future. And you’ve got China sitting back to see how we react and they are looking at Taiwan.”
Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer (R-MO) said the United States continues to buy $22 million a day in oil from Russia.
“That’s troubling to me that we are still doing business with Russia. The money is being used to buy weapons to fight Ukrainians. If we can’t suffer just a little bit then I don’t think we are a very good actor on the international stage.
“This is going to embolden China. We need to put in place provisions that when China does certain things we will take certain actions before they stomp on Taiwan rather than when they stomp on Taiwan.”
Luetkemeyer noted the amount of trade the United States does in just two weeks with Taiwan is equal to 52 weeks with Russia.
As CUToday.info reported here, Ukraine’s ambassador to the United States addressed GAC one day earlier and called on credit unions to provide their help to the country.