Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S. C., called for the destruction of the ruble and crush the Russian oil and gas sector in response to Russian President Vladimir Putin's aggression in Ukraine.
Graham made the call in a tweet posted after Putin's national address in which he recognized the independence of the separatist Donetsk People's Republic and Luhansk People's Republic areas of Ukraine.
Graham wrote when it comes to thugs like Putin disrupting world order and destroying democracies, enough is enough.
The Republican from South Carolina continued his speech by declaring eastern Donetsk and Luhansk as independent regions within Ukraine, a violation of the Minsk Agreements and a declaration of war against the people of Ukraine.
Graham said that his decision should immediately be met with forceful sanctions to destroy the ruble and crush the Russian oil and gas sector.
The situation in Ukraine has become dire, with Putin recognizing that the separatist governments are likely to lead to conflict.
A U.S. official warned of the dangers that Russia has put together a list of Ukrainians to be killed or sent to camps after a military occupation. Bathsheba Crocker, the U.N. ambassador to the United Nations, sent a letter to the UN human rights chief, The Washington Post reported on Sunday.
I would like to bring to your attention the disturbing information recently obtained by the United States that indicates human rights violations and abuses are planned in the aftermath of a further invasion, according to Crocker. These acts, which in past Russian operations have included targeted killings, kidnappings forced disappearances, unjust detentions, and the use of torture, would likely target those who oppose Russian actions, including Russian and Belarusian dissidents in exile in Ukraine, journalists and anti-corruption activists, and vulnerable populations such as religious and ethnic minorities and LGBTQI persons. She warned that Russian forces are creating lists of identified Ukrainians to be killed or sent to camps after a military occupation. We have credible information that Russian forces will likely use lethal measures to disperse peaceful protests or otherwise counter peaceful exercises of perceived resistance from civilian populations. A Russian invasion into Ukraine could spark a European land war.