CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Political leaders in West Virginia are condemning Russia’s invasion on Ukraine including both U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (D, W.Va.) and Shelley Moore Capito (R, W.Va.) and state Senators in the West Virginia Legislature.

The state Senate adopted Senate Resolution 40, “affirming support for Ukrainian sovereignty” in a 34-0 vote on Thursday. Senator Richard Lindsay, D-Kanawha, introduced the resolution. He spoke on the floor before the unanimous vote.

“We’re standing as a body in solidarity with the government of Ukraine and the people of Ukraine. This is also a condemnation of Russian aggression and invasion of Ukraine that took place within the past 24 hours,” Lindsay said.

Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the attack early Thursday morning in a television address. Shortly after, footage showed the attacks in cities such as Kyiv, Kharkiv and Odesa. The Ukrainian government confirmed around 40 people were killed in the first hours of the attack.

In Putin’s speech, he warned other countries that any attempt to interfere would lead to “consequences you have never seen.”

“It was a veil threat to use weapons of mass destruction against the West in his speech last night when he said ‘Any outsiders who interferes risks consequences greater than any they have experienced in their history,” Erik Herron, WVU’s Eberly Family Professor of Political Science said on Thursday’s MetroNews ‘Talkline.’

Putin said his country cannot stand by on on the eastward expansion of NATO near the Russian border.

Manchin, also appearing on MetroNews ‘Talkline’ Thursday, predicted that U.S. troops will become involved as the U.S. has to protect its allies. He also predicted a great impact on the country’s economy including additional supply chain issues, energy costs and inflation.

“We’ll put troops and I support in putting troops to support out allies, our NATO allies. Which under Article 5, we have a responsibility. We cannot lose our allies and they cannot lose faith or trust in us,” Manchin said.

Capito also condemned the actions in a statement released Thursday:

“First and foremost, I am concerned for the free people of Ukraine, and it is critical that we stand with them and support them during this time. The free world must never accept when a country invades another sovereign nation. Make no mistake: Despite Vladimir Putin’s misleading words, this is an invasion, and his actions will undoubtedly harm innocent people. We must lead on behalf of our NATO allies and those who cherish freedom to ensure the actions we take prevent a tyrant from overthrowing a free and sovereign democracy. While I believe that President Biden’s words have been ineffective, too late, and too passive for the current situation, we must unify and stand in solidarity with the people of Ukraine.”

U.S. Congressman David McKinley (R-W.Va.-01) tweeted out a thread against the attacks. U.S. Congresswoman Carol Miller (R-W.Va.-03) tweeted out a statement on the invasion.