In an interview for “Total Maine,” Sen. Angus King discussed rising home heating oil costs, the war in Iran, and U.S. support for Ukraine.
BRUNSWICK, Maine —
In an interview on “Total Maine,” Sen. Angus King spoke about rising heating costs in Maine, the wars in Ukraine and Iran, and U.S. foreign policy.
King said releasing 315,000 barrels from the Northeast Home Heating Oil Reserve could increase supply and provide relief to Maine households.
He argued that tapping the reserve was justified due to the scale of the price increase.
“Nothing like this has ever happened. I never can recall heating oil prices going anywhere near $6,” Sen. King said. “So this is really an extraordinary circumstance. And it relates to an extraordinary circumstance, which is the war in Iran.”
The conversation shifted to Ukraine, where King criticized the Trump administration’s treatment of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and called for increased pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin.
“This isn’t a real estate deal. This is a country that’s fighting for its independence. That’s fighting for its very life against a murderous dictator who invaded his country without any justification,” King said. “And to be pressuring Zelensky to make some kind of deal, to give up part of his country in order to mollify Putin is unconscionable.”
King also discussed his recent op-ed in the New York Times, warning that weakening relationships with longtime allies could harm U.S. national security and take years to repair.