Washington, DC – Representative Gregory W. Meeks, Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, today issued a statement marking the third anniversary of Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine:
“It is a shameful failure of U.S. leadership that, on the third anniversary of Russia’s illegal and barbaric invasion of Ukraine, President Trump has not only abandoned Ukraine but also turned his back on the U.S.-European alliance in favor of an autocrat like Vladimir Putin. The Trump administration’s rejection today of a European-backed U.N. resolution that rightfully condemns Russia and calls for the return of Ukrainian territory underscores that betrayal, with the United States joining North Korea and Russia against our European allies and Ukraine. Instead of standing with Ukraine as the country fights for its survival, Trump echoed Russian talking points, preemptively conceded key U.S. positions on Ukraine before negotiations have had even begun, sidelined both Ukrainian leadership and our European allies, and made clear that his sympathies lie with the aggressor, and not the victim.
“I am deeply disappointed that my colleagues across the aisle - who’ve baselessly criticized the Biden administration for not doing enough to support Ukraine - have sat silently while Trump betrays Ukraine, our European allies, and American national security interests. U.S. support had been overwhelmingly bipartisan. Now, Trump’s influence has made even standing against Russian aggression a partisan issue.
“Trump is not a dealmaker; just as he surrendered Afghanistan to the Taliban through his disastrous Doha deal, he is now seeking to sideline Ukraine and our European allies to hand Ukraine to Putin, without getting anything in return. Putin’s ambitions won’t end with Ukraine. Putin knows Trump is weak and willing to fold. Soon, the NATO Alliance will be challenged as Putin threatens to push further into Europe. Our European allies have every reason to fear whether the United States will stand by them against Russian aggression. I offer no consolation; the White House and the Republican-controlled Congress have aligned themselves with Russia. This is a sad day—not just for Ukraine and the brave Ukrainians fighting for their freedom, but for the United States and democracies around the world. There could not have been a better outcome for Russia than Donald Trump’s return to the White House."