'We stand resolute with the Ukrainian people': Texas leaders weigh in on Russia's invasion of Ukraine

Texas Republican and Democratic leaders have responded to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. 

Boiling tension between Russia and its neighbor to the southwest came to a head on Feb. 24 when Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered a "military operation" in eastern Ukraine, where rebel strongholds loyal to Moscow are located. 

Russia had placed its troops along its border with Ukraine and recognized the areas seeking to break free from Ukraine as sovereign entities, drawing strong condemnation from the U.S. and its allies in the West.

Houston CBS affiliate KHOU reported that U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee's (D-Houston) office issued a statement in which the congresswoman, who is in the Ukraine region, called Russia's actions "brutal and illegal."

"Putin must not succeed . . . This is an important moment for America," Jackson Lee tweeted.

According to KHOU, the lawmaker met with allies in Lithuania and Belarus before the invasion.

Former President George W. Bush's office said the 43rd president calls the invasion the “gravest security crisis on the European continent since World War II.”

"I join the international community in condemning Vladimir Putin’s unprovoked and unjustified invasion of Ukraine," Bush said in a statement. "The American government and people must stand in solidarity with Ukraine and the Ukrainian people as they seek freedom and the right to choose their own future."

U.S. Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Houston), who's on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, offered support to Ukraine and vowed to impose sanctions on Russia, KHOU reported.

"Today, we stand resolute with the Ukrainian people and resolve to provide them with the tools they need to withstand and repel this unprovoked attack," McCaul said in a statement issued by his office. "Every drop of Ukrainian and Russian blood spilled in this conflict is on Putin's hands, and his alone."

U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) said the attack has elicited "enormous concern and anger," the station reported.

"The U.S. will stand with our Ukrainian allies, continue to provide them with arms to defend themselves and work to counter Putin and hold accountable those responsible for this aggression," the junior senator said in a tweet.

Russia's overnight attack purportedly claimed the lives of 40 people, with the death toll likely to grow, according to the Huffington Post.

As Ukraine's military attempts to counter the invasion, civilians are fleeing their homes for safety.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy went on Twitter to tell citizens who wish to defend the country that the government will provide them with weapons, as well as urged blood donations.

While the Ukrainian government called for assistance as Russia strafed the country's cities and military installations, Putin threatened "consequences you have never seen" to any country that tries to interfere, according to Associated Press.

Ukraine had reportedly attempted to sever all diplomatic ties with Russia before the incursion.

According to Ukrainian officials, their troops were fighting the Russians on a series of fronts, AP reported.