Washington, DC – Representative Gregory W. Meeks, Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, and Representative William R. Keating, Ranking Member of the Europe Subcommittee, released the following statement in response to President Trump’s announcement on Ukraine and Russia.
“While we are relieved and not surprised that NATO allies are once again stepping up to purchase American weapons to supply to Ukraine, it is painfully obvious that President Trump still fails to grasp the reality of Russia’s war and the extent to which Vladimir Putin is taking him for a ride.
“In the Oval Office with Secretary-General Rutte, President Trump spent more time airing political grievances than confronting Putin’s refusal to negotiate. Trump’s latest threat of secondary sanctions — imposed on third countries, not Russia — only serves to delay real action and does nothing to deter the Kremlin. Instead, it sends a dangerous message: that Putin has 50 more days to continue unabated with his atrocities before Trump will even consider acting.
“President Trump campaigned on ending Russia’s war in Ukraine on day one. He has failed. The Ukraine assistance bill we introduced in April, along with bipartisan proposals in both chambers, offer real paths for the U.S. to both support Ukraine and impose meaningful costs on Russia. Leader Thune and Speaker Johnson must bring this legislation to a vote. Congress should not wait even one more day—let alone 50—for this administration to get serious.”
“While we are relieved and not surprised that NATO allies are once again stepping up to purchase American weapons to supply to Ukraine, it is painfully obvious that President Trump still fails to grasp the reality of Russia’s war and the extent to which Vladimir Putin is taking him for a ride.
“In the Oval Office with Secretary-General Rutte, President Trump spent more time airing political grievances than confronting Putin’s refusal to negotiate. Trump’s latest threat of secondary sanctions — imposed on third countries, not Russia — only serves to delay real action and does nothing to deter the Kremlin. Instead, it sends a dangerous message: that Putin has 50 more days to continue unabated with his atrocities before Trump will even consider acting.
“President Trump campaigned on ending Russia’s war in Ukraine on day one. He has failed. The Ukraine assistance bill we introduced in April, along with bipartisan proposals in both chambers, offer real paths for the U.S. to both support Ukraine and impose meaningful costs on Russia. Leader Thune and Speaker Johnson must bring this legislation to a vote. Congress should not wait even one more day—let alone 50—for this administration to get serious.”