U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, Republican of Mississippi and chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, delivered a speech in the Senate criticizing Russian President Vladimir Putin’s military campaign in Ukraine and urging Congress to act on a Russia sanctions bill.
In his remarks, Wicker marked the upcoming fourth anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. He described Putin as “a war criminal, a KGB alumnus, an oppressor of the Russian people,” adding that “he’s really bad at fighting a war.”
Wicker outlined Russia’s limited territorial gains over the past two years, stating: “During the year 2024, Russia captured 0.6 percent of Ukrainian territory. Last year, it captured 0.8 percent. So, two years of massive, tragic bloodshed caused by Vladimir Putin have resulted in 1.4 percent of enemy territory taken.” He continued: “He’s bad at tactics, bad at strategy, but he’s sent millions of Russian men into battle for his unprovoked and illegal invasion, inflicting 1.2 million casualties on his own people.”
The senator criticized Putin’s strategy and noted that since 2024 Russian offensives have gained only between “16 yards to 75 yards of ground a day.” Wicker said this pace is “among the slowest military campaigns since World War I.”
Wicker also condemned attacks on civilians: “A cold snap has descended on Ukraine, and the maniacal Vladimir Putin has turned this winter into a weapon. He has systemically targeted energy sites, wiping out power and turning homes into freezers.”
According to Wicker, Putin has failed in two major objectives: weakening NATO and bringing Ukraine back under Russian influence. He stated: “NATO has expanded and awakened… Ukraine and the people have overwhelmingly moved philosophically further from Russia and toward the civilized democracies of this world.”
He urged action from Congress: “We must show him it is time to stop. That’s what I’m urging our government to do, and the Senate to do.” Wicker called for unity among Western allies around security guarantees for Ukraine and encouraged support for additional U.S.-made weapons.
Highlighting recent defense developments, Wicker said: “This week, the U.S. Air Force live-tested a new low-cost, air-launched cruise missile called ERAM—and we did so just sixteen months after the initial contract—impressive… The missiles are now headed to Ukraine.”
Wicker emphasized American industry’s role in supporting Ukraine through new military capabilities.
Senator Wicker represents Mississippi in the U.S. Senate and serves as chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee according to his official website. He has also been recognized by groups such as the National Association of Manufacturers for his policy work (source), authored legislation like the SHIPS Act to strengthen naval forces (source), co-founded health-focused caucuses (source), and serves on boards such as that for the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (source).
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