Ron Johnson

Vladimir Putin is playing the West like a violin because we refuse to acknowledge reality.

I totally agree. By the way, I think what we should be doing is everything we can to bolster energy and Poroshenko's hand--help provide advisers, provide military equipment if so requested.

I think our reaction has been totally weak, totally lacked resolve, totally inadequate.

This is all about one man, one man's power for the rest of his life.

If we try to make a success of Ukraine that is an existential threat to Putin.

They are not a friendly rival. They are an adversary.

This is not long-term in Russia's best interest, but it is in the best interest of Vladimir Putin.

I do not believe Putin is acting rationally from the standpoint of improving his economy.

Again, we are showing more weakness, playing right into his hands.

Does it not also threaten the oligarchs when they cannot spread their money around the world?

We have not begun to exploit them.

I was always in support of strong sanctions, hopefully targeted ones that were really painful to Putin, not to us.

Current transatlantic mechanisms are broken

What is at stake here, the cohesion and resilience of democratic and free societies, is enormous.

The political message it would send to Vladimir Putin is incalculable.

LNG exports from the United States to Europe would be a strategic message, would strengthen the transatlantic relationship.

The majority of Europeans hope the United States will continue to see the issue of energy security of its allies as one of its top strategic priorities.

I agree with Senator Murphy. This movement is way too slow, and Germany is key.

I am calling it Putin's pause. I actually appreciate the fact that he has not sent overtly more support.

In terms of the effect it might have on Vladimir Putin's calculation, even though it would not come on stream immediately.

So you basically would be disagreeing with what Senator Markey talks about in terms of dramatically increasing the price of gas if we were to export more?

I have heard arguments on both sides, that if we actually export more that would lead toward greater exploration.

It might be hypocritical.

It is true that people talk often about Europe's dependency on Russian gas.

I know I am out of time, but just let me follow up on this.