Andy Barr: “I thank the gentleman from South Carolina for his leadership on the Foreign Affairs Committee, his leadership in the…”

“I thank the gentleman from South Carolina for his leadership on the Foreign Affairs Committee, his leadership in the Congress, and his advocacy for the free people of Ukraine. Mr. Speaker, as the United States, our NATO allies, and other allies respond to Vladimir Putin's unprovoked and brutal attack on the free, sovereign, and independent nation of Ukraine, we must assess the many ways in which Russia is seeking to evade sanctions. That includes the extent to which Russia is turning to China to enable its aggression. Mr. Speaker, the unholy alliance between the Chinese Communist Party and the authoritarian oligarchs running the Kremlin is a serious threat to the United States and our allies. It is enabling this illegal aggression against Ukraine. On February 4, Russia and the CCP released a joint statement following a meeting with Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping outlining a strategic partnership with ``no limits.'' Following Russia's illegal invasion of Ukraine, China refused to condemn Russia's gross violation of international law. China has continued to be silent while Russia targets and kills innocent women, children, and civilians in Ukraine. Instead of condemning Putin's war crimes, the CCP is rewarding them. On February 28, after the invasion, the CCP struck a massive deal with the Russian energy company Gazprom. Gazprom will deliver 50 billion cubic meters of natural gas per year to the CCP under the agreement. Mr.…”