The outcome of Russia’s war on Ukraine “will impact what happens with Russia, China, Iran and North Korea against not only the United States’ interests, but democracy,” the ranking member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee said at a Baker Institute for Public Policy event April 14.
Calling recent images of carnage out of Bucha, Ukraine “some of the worst things I’ve seen in my lifetime,” Rep. Michael McCaul joined James Baker III, former secretary of state and honorary chair of the Baker Institute, and Ambassador Edward Djerejian, director of the institute, to discuss U.S. policy regarding the ongoing Russian aggression.
“The Russians have crossed the Rubicon here with these war crimes,” McCaul said. He later added: “We have to hold them accountable. This is not acceptable in the 21st century.”
The Texas Republican likened the situation to Adolf Hitler’s invasion of Poland in 1939, arguing the U.S. cannot stand idly by. He also compared Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s inspirational speeches to the soaring wartime rhetoric of Winston Churchill.
“At the end of the day, you have the moral superiority and you have the will and you are fighting for freedom,” McCaul said, addressing Consul General of Ukraine in Houston Vitalii Tarasiuk, who was in attendance and received a standing ovation at the beginning of the event. “And as (former President Ronald) Reagan said, ‘Freedom is only one generation away from extinction.’”
Baker, who was secretary of state when the Soviet Union fell, told Tarasiuk in his opening remarks: “You can see from that applause the audience joins me in applauding the courage and determination with which your countrymen are resisting aggression and protecting the independence of your country.”
McCaul agreed with Baker’s assessment that the situation in Ukraine could affect the global balance of power. He said Ukraine “is the beacon of freedom against the four major nations against democracy,” referring to Russia, China, Iran and North Korea.
Baker noted that McCaul has been keeping a “watchful eye” on Moscow for some time.
“He was prescient in 2016 when he bluntly proclaimed, ‘I don’t think (Russian President Vladimir) Putin has our best interests at heart,’” Baker said.
View a recording of the discussion here.