Portman on Ukraine: ‘I haven’t seen this kind of unity since 9/11’

Sen. Rob Portman (R-Ohio) said on Sunday that the global unity seen in support of Ukraine amid its invasion from Russia is unlike any he had seen since the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.

“This is something where the American people are standing firmly with Ukraine, and there are many rallies around the country today in support of Ukraine. I’ll be at one in Cleveland, Ohio, this afternoon,” Portman said on NBC’s “Meet the Press.”

“Around the world you see this, including in Russia,” he added. “The world is standing up in ways that, frankly, I haven’t seen this kind of unity since 9/11.”

“I think that is something that will, in the end, be very helpful, but we’ve got to provide more military assistance,” the senator said of the international support. “We’ve got to tighten up the sanctions further.”

Cities across the world have participated in marches and rallies in support of Ukraine following Russia’s attack on the sovereign country, which has been widely condemned by the international community. 

Even in Russia, more than 3,000 citizens have been arrested for protesting Moscow’s invasion. 

“The law provides for severe punishment for organizing mass riots, as well as for resisting law enforcement officers,” the Investigative Committee of Russia has said, noting that people who violate these policies could be imprisoned.