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- Rep. Jordan Teuscher marked the third anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine with a speech on Utah's House floor.
- Teuscher criticized the war, shared personal experiences, and showed support for Ukraine's independence.
SALT LAKE CITY — Three years after Russia launched an invasion of Ukraine, a member of the Utah House of Representatives marked the occasion while urging support for Ukraine's fight for freedom.
Speaking on the House floor Monday morning, Rep. Jordan Teuscher, R-South Jordan, called the war an "awful tragedy," lamented the casualties in the conflict, and noted the heavy damage and displacement inflicted on Ukraine.
"War is awful," Teuscher said. "It is despicable, and it has to stop."
Teuscher's comments came as President Donald Trump has ratcheted up criticism of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, calling him a "dictator" and falsely claiming Ukraine started the war.
Some Utah Republicans last week distanced themselves from Trump's remarks without criticizing the president directly.
Trump later backtracked on his comments, acknowledging that "Russia attacked, but they shouldn't have let him attack," according to the Associated Press.
Over the weekend, Zelenskyy said he is "ready" to step down if it means peace for his country, including entrance into NATO. Meanwhile, the Associated Press reported a meeting between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin is in the works.
Russia invaded Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022. At the time, Teuscher — whose wife is Ukrainian and has lived and worked in the country — joined other leaders to hold a rally on the steps of the Utah Capitol to support Ukraine in its fight.
On the House floor Monday, Teuscher said he has made several trips to Ukraine since then, which included a 2023 state trade and humanitarian mission. Visiting that country, Teuscher said, has allowed him to "stand as a witness of the atrocities" of the war.
Teuscher showed lawmakers a piece of shrapnel from a Russian bomb that landed in the western part of Ukraine. On the opposite side of it, he said, Ukrainians painted it blue with flowers and added the word "independent."
"This is really all the Ukrainians are asking for," Teuscher said, "to have their own space, to be independent."
Over the weekend, a group of Ukraine supporters rallied outside the Utah Capitol to mark the three-year anniversary of the Russian invasion and to stand in solidarity with Ukraine.
Last year, Zelenskyy visited Utah as part of the National Governors Association summer meetings to urge continued support for Ukraine.
But support for Ukraine is not unanimous among Utah's leaders. Sen. Mike Lee has been a vocal opponent of any more aid to Ukraine and cheered Trump's comments last week on social media.
Meanwhile, House Speaker Mike Schultz, R-Hooper, thanked Teuscher for his comments Monday about Ukraine.
"It is a tragedy what's happening in that part of the world," Schultz said, "and we certainly do hope and pray for peace."
