Dan Coats: “I wish to comment on the tragedy of the civilian airliner shot out of the sky by a Russian surface-to-air missile…”

“I wish to comment on the tragedy of the civilian airliner shot out of the sky by a Russian surface-to-air missile, cutting short the lives of 298 innocent civilians. Parents, children and spouses of victims have expressed deep anguish, and we all feel their grief. All of us agree the images we are seeing from the crash site are heartbreaking and sickening. President Obama, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, leaders throughout the world, and many others have expressed their outrage at the vicious, uncivilized act that took place at 33,000 feet over the country of Ukraine. A few days ago, British Prime Minister David Cameron stated firmly: For too long there has been a reluctance on the part of too many European countries to face up to the implications of what is happening in eastern Ukraine. . . . Elegant forms of words and fine communiques are no substitute for real action. The weapons and fighters being funneled across the border between Russia and eastern Ukraine; the support to the militias; the half-truths, the bluster, the delays. They have to stop. As the prime minister acknowledged: This is a moment when words of condemnation and expressions of grief are simply not enough. This is a moment when action must follow the outrage and rhetorical condemnation. The tragedy of Malaysian Airlines 17 will be a defining event in history. It is a defining event for Russia, first and foremost, and for its President, Vladimir Putin.…”