Marco Rubio: After MH17 Crash, Impose Sanctions on Putin

From his perch on the U.S. Senate Foreign Affairs Committee, U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla.,weighed in on Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 being shot down over Ukraine. Rubio called on the U.S. to impose sanctions on the Putin regime in Russia in response.

The attack on Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 is a senseless act, Rubio said on Friday. "I mourn the loss of innocent life, including at least one American and citizens from so many allies and friends of the United States. I agree with President Obama that there should be an independent investigation, but this is not just about an investigation or securing the crash site.

Even as we investigate the source of the missile system involved and what support was provided to those who fired it, we need to remember that Vladimir Putins unlawful annexation of Crimea and his ongoing efforts to destabilize Ukraine have brought us to this point and have now cost the lives of nearly 300 innocent civilians, Rubio added. As I said earlier this week after President Obama announced the latest round of U.S. sanctions against Russia, American officials continue to issue hollow threats, while Russia sows instability as it flagrantly violates Ukraines sovereignty by providing weapons and assistance to separatists.

This horrific event is a terrible reminder of why clear, decisive and morally unambiguous American leadership is so desperately needed in the world, Rubio continued. It is time for the United States and our allies to impose sectoral sanctions on President Putin and his government, especially against the energy, defense and banking sectors, and significantly increase our support, including lethal assistance, to the government of Ukraine which has shown itself to be the only responsible actor throughout this crisis. The civilized world cannot continue to stand idly by while these types of flagrant violations of basic humanity and international order continue.