CHARLOTTE -- Crimea, Ukraine, is a spot that many would not have been able to find on a map not long ago, but has recently been vaulted into the eyes of the world following political backlash in Ukraine that has left a country divided. Military troops, allegedly unidentified Russians, have moved into the warm-weather port city. Charlotte Republican Congressman Robert Pittenger, Chairman of the Congressional Task Force on Terrorism, says de-escalating this situation begins with sanctions against Russian President Vladmir Putin.

Pittenger said, "We need to stop his aggression. The way we do that is to have very significant sanctions against him. This would be very hurtful to Europe, they're 30% or more dependent on Russia for their energy capacity."

Congressman Pittenger added that it would be key for allies of the United States to support those European countries during those sanctions.