McCain: U.S Lack of Action is ‘Shameful Chapter,’ ‘I’m Ashamed of My Country’

Barbara Boland | February 23, 2015
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“This is a shameful chapter – I’m ashamed of my country, I’m ashamed of my president and I’m ashamed of myself that I haven’t done more to help these people,” said Sen. Joh McCain (R-Ariz.) on CBS’s “Face the Nation” yesterday. The failure of the U.S. and Europe to stop Russian President Vladimir Putin’s incursions into the Ukraine “is really, really heartbreaking.”

“I believe that German Chancellor and the President of France legitimized for the first time in 70 years the dismemberment of a country in Europe. It’s shameful and Vladimir Putin has not paid any price – even the ceasefire was violated until he achieved his objective of that vital rail link…” McCain said.

McCain, who has often been a heavy supporter of American interventionism overseas, said that the Ukrainians don’t want American boots on the ground, “but merely weapons to defend themselves, and they’re being slaughtered.”

There are Russian tanks in Eastern Ukraine, McCain asserted, and the U.S. should give the Ukrainians weapons to defend themselves. “Some of the best Russian special forces are there, and they will continue this [as long as] they can get away with it,” he said.

“Vladimir Putin wants Ukraine not to be part of Europe, and he is succeeding in doing so, he’s put enormous pressure on the Baltics…. And continued occupation of Georgia as well. This is really a dark chapter in the history of our alliance.”

Bob Schieffer was struck by McCain’s words, “I’ll say this, Senator, I’ve known you for a long, long time; interviewed you many, many times; and I’ve never heard you say ‘I’m ashamed of my country,’ which you just said.”

“And I’m ashamed of myself,” McCain added.

 

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