WASHINGTON, DC – Today, after President Donald Trump met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska without Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky present to discuss the future of Ukraine, U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI), the Ranking Member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, issued the following statement:

 

“I support active engagement and diplomacy. Everyone wants peace, but peacemaking must be done responsibly, or it risks the security of Ukrainians, Europeans, and Americans alike. I didn’t care for the red-carpet treatment Putin was afforded or the signal Trump sent by welcoming him with applause. And I think everyone was a bit surprised by the lack of detail and unorthodox post-meeting press conference.

 

“Putin is losing thousands of citizens and billions of dollars per month in his war of choice. Too often in the past, President Trump has been quick to side with Putin, even in the face of U.S. intelligence to the contrary. Validating his illegal landgrab in Ukraine and legitimizing Russia’s invasion would be a bad precedent that sets the stage for future conflict.

 

“Instead of caving to Putin, the U.S. should join our allies in levying tough, targeted new sanctions on Russia to intensify the economic pressure. In the face of Russian brutality, Ukrainians are bravely fighting for their freedom and democracy. Trump must not abandon the Ukrainian people and cater to Russian aggressors, or it will only embolden America’s adversaries and invite more aggression.”