The Impact of Russia’s Invasion in Ukraine Felt in New Jersey
The world has watched in horror as Russian President Vladimir Putin has sent armed forces into neighboring Ukraine with the purpose of “restoring” the old Soviet Union empire. Worldwide condemnation has come from several Democratic nations across the world over Putin’s actions, and many are waiting to see what the West, the United States, and its European allies will do to stop the Russian leader.
There is an estimated 200,000 ethnic Ukrainians who live in the New York-New Jersey area according to North Jersey.com, and all have expressed extreme outrage and sadness over the news.
Archbishop Daniel Zelinsky of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA in Somerset has compared the horrors to the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941, and further condemned the actions as a crime against humanity. The Church is livestreaming a daily prayer on the St. Sophia Seminary’s Facebook page every night at nine o-clock.
Meanwhile Cardinal Jospeh Tobin — who heads the Archdiocese of Newark — is calling for prayers, echoing the thoughts of so many.
Local leaders, including Governor Phil Murphy have also condemned Putin and the Russians.
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine marks one of the darkest days in Europe since WWII. We stand with New Jersey’s Ukrainian American community and with @POTUS in supporting the people of the independent nation of Ukraine.
— Governor Phil Murphy (@GovMurphy) February 24, 2022
U.S. Senator Bob Menendez, Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued the following statement in response to @POTUS' announcement this afternoon of a new round of sanctions in response to Putin’s illegal and illegitimate war against Ukraine: pic.twitter.com/PVwKr1OQar
— Senate Foreign Relations Committee (@SFRCdems) February 24, 2022
Watching the images of Putin's illegal invasion of Ukraine, and thinking of those whose lives are on the line for democracy. The US and our allies will hold Russia accountable. pic.twitter.com/RF6FP9oMFJ
— Cory Booker (@CoryBooker) February 24, 2022
Meanwhile Republican Jeff Van Drew was critical of the Biden Administration’s response to the Ukrainian crisis.
We must permanently end Nord Stream 2 to remove Russia’s stranglehold on European energy demands. We must get American energy back to full production and lead the world in energy independence. pic.twitter.com/vnYnNtIoDs
— Congressman Jeff Van Drew (@Congressman_JVD) February 23, 2022
