On Thursday, Congressman Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.) suggested that the United States deport Russian college students and shutter the Russian embassy in Washington, D.C in response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the Post Millennial reported.
While on “CNN Newsroom,” Rep. Swalwell said, “Frankly, I think closing their embassy in the United States, kicking every Russian student out of the United States, those should be on the table.”
He continued, “Vladimir Putin needs to know every day that he is in Ukraine, there are more severe options that could come.”
“This is the largest invasion in Europe since World War II, and these are the harshest sanctions that any country has experienced since World War II,” the congressman added, “There will be more to come.”
On Saturday, Western allies agreed to ramp up the sanctions placed on Russia by blocking Russian banks from accessing the SWIFT network.
In a joint statement, leadership from the European Commission, France, Germany, Italy, Canada, the United Kingdom, and the United States committed to amplifying financial sanctions by prohibiting Russian banks from using the telecommunications network to conduct international and domestic transactions.
By preventing Russia from utilizing the SWIFT network, Western leaders will effectively isolate them and make it incredibly difficult for the Russian economy from making either short- or long-term gains. These sanctions, notably, interfere with Russia’s ability to export natural gas and oil. Fuel exports compose more than half of Russia’s GDP.
Vodka — one of Russia’s most iconic exports — is also being affected by Western sanctions. The Canadian government is stopping the sale and importation of Russian-made products. And in the United States, several state governments have called for the removal of Russian vodka from liquor stores.
After invading Ukraine and even before Western nations issued sanctions, Russia’s economy began to crater. Currently, a Russian ruble is worth about 0.012 U.S. dollars. The Russian currency is less valuable than some in-game currencies for video games.
Rep. Swalwell currently serves on the House Intelligence Committee.
Previously, per federal investigators, Swalwell had a close personal relationship with a woman named Christine Fang. As it turns out, Ms. Fang was a spy for the Chinese government. Rep. Swalwell and Ms. Fang were involved while Swalwell served on the House Intelligence Committee.
Upon learning of Ms. Fang and Swalwell’s relationship, high-ranking members of the House Republican Caucus called for his removal from the House Intelligence Committee.
In mid-January, House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) said that if the Republican Party wins a majority in the House of Representatives after the 2022 midterms, Rep. Swalwell will be stripped of his role on the House Intelligence Committee.