Rep. Don Bacon: ‘Putin is evil’ and Russians ‘hate us’

The war in Ukraine is now entering its second year. Hundreds of thousands of people have been killed, both soldiers and civilians. The Armed Forces of Ukraine continue to push back against the onslaught, but Vladimir Putin’s war machine is showing no signs of letting up.

I am grateful to all the countries that endorsed the crucial @UN General Assembly resolution "Principles of the Charter of the United Nations that underline the comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine". 1/2 pic.twitter.com/nFx8OuOMug

— Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) February 23, 2023

“Putin is evil. What he’s doing is evil,” Nebraska Congressman Don Bacon said. Bacon represents the Cornhusker State’s second district, and retired a brigadier general from the U.S. Air Force. He was the one-time commander at Ramstein Air Force Base in Germany. He knows more than most what it might take to end the war.

He said Ukraine needs long-range missiles more than anything. Like the Army’s Tactical Missile System (ATACMS), which has a range of almost 200 miles. ATACMS can be launched from HIMARS, which Ukraine has already been using with lethal precision.

“We want to be able to give Ukraine the ability to defend its airspace and hit targets deep to hold Russian logistics centers at risk,” Bacon said.

When it comes to the ongoing question of sending fighter jets, the congressman said F-16s would be the best option given battlefield conditions in Ukraine. However, with Russia’s advanced air defense systems, Bacon said understands the debate over whether to send them.

Bacon said what he doesn’t understand is why U.S. support for Ukraine may be weakening. Bacon pushes back on the argument Ukraine is getting a blank check from the U.S. If it were true that Ukrainians were getting everything they asked for, Bacon said there wouldn’t still be a debate about F-16s, ATACMS and other heavier weaponry requested by Ukraine.

What the U.S. should give unconditionally to Ukraine, according to Bacon, is support. He said the U.S. is morally obligated to help Ukraine defend itself against Putin. Beyond moral obligations, Bacon said there is also a fair amount of self-interest involved for the U.S.

“If Russia prevails, bullies don’t stop, you know?” Bacon said. “[Russia has] been threatening the Baltics. What happens if they prevail in Ukraine? Are the Baltics next? These are our allies and are part of NATO. So I think we have to stand up and help Ukraine defend its sovereignty. It’s in our national security interest. Make no bones about it. Russia is a threat to America. They hate us.”