A man walks past a damaged vehicle and debris following Russian shelling in Mariupol, Ukraine, Thursday. Russia has launched a barrage of air and missile strikes on Ukraine early Thursday and Ukrainian officials said that Russian troops have rolled into the country from the north, east and south. AP Photo/Sergei Grits

Sergei Grits

Whether Republican or Democrat, local elected officials are unified in their disapproval of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s invasion of neighboring Ukraine on Thursday.

“Russia’s unprovoked and unnecessary attack of Ukraine poses a threat to freedom in Europe and to America's NATO allies in the region,” said U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly, R-16th. “I call on the Biden administration and NATO partners to lead a swift response to Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine.”

Kelly said Putin cannot be allowed to bully and intimidate the world to get what he wants, and he is concerned the invasion could become a global threat against the United States and democracy.

Kelly said China is threatening Taiwan and the U.S. must continue to take Iran and North Korea seriously.

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