{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/collins-king-join-legislation-to-ensure-recognition-of-ukraines-sovereign-borders", "Collins, King Join Legislation to Ensure Recognition of Ukraine\u2019s Sovereign Borders", "2022-09-23", "2022", "2022-09", "Independent", "Senate", "ME", "Angus S. King, Jr.", "K000383", "www.king.senate.gov", "angusking", "https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/table", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 After Russian President Vladimir Putin announced plans to annex parts of Ukraine into the Russian Federation, U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King joined bipartisan legislation to ensure the United States does not recognize any Russian claim over Ukraine\u2019s sovereign territory. The Non-Recognition of Russian Annexation of Ukrainian Territory Act stands with the brave men and women fighting for their freedom in Ukraine by prohibiting any U.S. government department or agency from taking action that would validate Russia\u2019s claims to Ukrainian lands. It also serves to counter Putin\u2019s land ownership lies that he could use to justify potential military escalations.\n\n\u201cVladimir Putin\u2019s push to annex parts of Ukraine is a blatant attempt to give his brutal and unjustified invasion a veneer of legitimacy,\u201d said Senator Collins. \u201cThe Ukrainians have inspired the world with their determination to defend their democracy, and their recent advances in the eastern part of the country demonstrate their ability to succeed when they have the support of the United States and our allies. By refusing to acknowledge Russian claims on Ukraine\u2019s territory, this legislation would reaffirm our solidary with Ukraine and help the Ukrainians to preserve their sovereignty. I will continue to support doing everything in the United States\u2019 power to give the courageous Ukrainians the tools they need to fight for their freedom and pressure Russia to bring an end to its terrible war.\u201d\n\n\u201cNo matter what Vladimir Putin says, every single inch of Ukraine belongs to Ukrainians. No sham election, fake proclamation, or attempted annexation will change Ukraine\u2019s internationally-recognized borders,\u201d said Senator King. \u201cThis bill is an important effort to reaffirm Ukraine\u2019s sovereignty and sends a strong, bipartisan message to the brave men and women in Ukraine that the United States Senate stands with them in their fight for freedom. Make no mistake, Ukraine will continue to push back Putin\u2019s delusions of a new Russian Empire and fight for the land that is theirs.\u201d\n\nThe bill is backed by a bipartisan group of nearly thirty of the Senators.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:08:33Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/collins-king-join-legislation-to-ensure-recognition-of-ukraines-sovereign-borders"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 0.6771641783416271, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}