Today, June 28, Russia’s Foreign Ministry announced that it has added U.S. Senator Susan Collins to the country’s sanctions list.  The move, which comes in response to Senator Collins’ steadfast support for Ukraine in its battle against Vladimir Putin’s invasion, bans Senator Collins from entering Russia indefinitely, according to a news release from the Senator’s office.

“I am proud to stand with the people of Ukraine, who are inspiring the world by their courage in the face of Putin’s unprovoked and unjustified war of aggression,” she said, in the release. “Meeting President Zelensky and other Ukrainian leaders in Kyiv, as well as speaking with Ukrainian refugees in Poland has only strengthened my resolve to assist them in their fight for their democracy and their freedom. 

“The Russian military has bombed maternity hospitals, apartment buildings, schools, shelters, and humanitarian corridors in Ukraine.  I consider my being sanctioned by Putin’s murderous regime to be a badge of honor. 

“I will continue to support doing everything in the United States’ power to give the Ukrainians the tools they need to defend their sovereignty and pressure Russia to bring an end to its terrible war.”

Senator Collins, a member of the Senate Intelligence Committee, has forcefully condemned Russia’s attacks on Ukrainian sovereignty.  

In May, Senator Collins traveled to Kyiv and had a two-hour meeting with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky.  In March, she joined a bipartisan Congressional delegation to Poland and Germany where she met with NATO leaders, Ukrainian refugees, and U.S. servicemembers for a first-hand look at the humanitarian crisis and America’s efforts to support Ukrainians. 

In June, Senator Collins joined a bipartisan group of her colleagues in urging the Administration to increase sanctions on enablers of Vladimir Putin’s regimeamidst its unprovoked and illegal war in Ukraine.  In May, Senator Collins strongly supported passage of a $40 billion military and humanitarian assistance package for Ukraine.  Also in May, President Biden signed into law the Ukraine Democracy Defense Lend-Lease Act, legislation Senator Collins co-sponsored that authorizes the President to enter into lend-lease agreements with Ukraine to provide military equipment to protect civilians. 

Before Russia began its attacks, Senator Collins cosponsored a resolution supporting the American partner in the face of Russian aggression and called for maximum intelligence sharing with Ukrainian officials.   She also participated in a virtual conversation on the escalating threat posed by Russia in Eastern Europe with Ambassadors from Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland.