Tester, Daines, Gianforte critical of Putin’s war on Ukraine; Rosendale silent
Gov. Greg Gianforte on Wednesday asked Montana agencies to begin divesting any Russian assets held by the state, while all but one member of Montana's congressional delegation maintained their condemnation of the Russian president and his invasion of Ukraine.
Gianforte said his office has been working with the Montana Board of Investments to determine what assets that state holds with Russian ties. He said the board had identified around $15 million in assets with Russian interests.
“I am proud to report the board is in the process of divesting,” Gianforte said. “With the collapsing Russian economy and the crashing ruble, I ask all state agencies and appropriate boards to review investments and quickly identify assets connected to the Russian government, its supporters, and any institutions aiding Russia in its war against Ukraine.”
Gianforte described Russian President Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine as “a vicious war against the sovereign, democratic Ukraine,” and one that violates international law. He joins Sens. Jon Tester and Steve Daines in condemning Putin's actions, though Rep. Matt Rosendale has been silent on the matter.
Since Feb. 24, when the Russian invasion of Ukraine began, Rosendale has tweeted 19 times from his congressional account. In those tweets, he hasn't mentioned Putin once.
At the same time, Rosendale has attacked U.S. President Joe Biden twice and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi twice. Rosendale did not attend the State of the Union address and in February, he introduced a bill banning aid to Ukraine.
When Russia entered Ukraine on Feb. 24, Rosendale issued a statement criticizing “cries from war hawks” eager to supply the Ukranian nation with the assets needed to defend itself from Russian aggression.
“We must resist these calls and put America first," he said. "The United States has no legal or moral obligation to come to the aid of either side of this foreign conflict.”
While Rosendale has been silent on the Russian invasion, Daines has labeled Putin a “thug.” While he's been critical of Biden along the way, especially on issues of energy, Daines has spoken out on world events and has sided with U.S. and European interests.
Since the invasion began, Daines has tweeted 29 times, mentioning Russia two times, Putin three times, Biden four times and Ukraine five times. He has spoken out against Putin and Russia, saying at one point, “God bless President Zelensky and the people of Ukraine.”
“I'm praying for the people of Ukraine and condemn Putin's outrageous attack on their sovereignty and independence,” Daines tweeted.
Tester also has called on Biden to increase U.S. Energy. Since the invasion, he has tweeted 32 times.
Of those tweets, he has mentioned Ukraine four times, Russia three times, Putin twice and Biden twice. He too has been critical of Russian aggression and Putin's bloody invasion.
“Appalled to see Putin's unprovoked acts of war march on in the middle of peace talks,” Tester tweeted recently. “I stand in solidarity with the people of Ukraine and with every freedom-loving democracy in condemning Russia's illegal military actions.”