John Garamendi actually said...

Russia seeks veto authority over nations on its periphery in terms of their governmental autonomy and diplomatic decisions.

I think you missed one step that preceded that and that is the President's decision to withdraw.

The withdrawal of American forces in the northern portion of Syria led to Russia occupying American bases as we withdrew.

We are representatives of the public for good and for ill and if we are not saying anything about it, it gets further and further away from ...