Home Minority Chief Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) on Wednesday accused President Trump’s administration of kowtowing to Russian President Vladimir Putin, reasonably than standing up for Ukraine, because the warfare between the nations stretches greater than three years after Moscow’s invasion.
“There’s robust bipartisan support for sanctions towards Vladimir Putin and Russia, and it is unlucky that the Trump administration has spent months taking part in footsie with Vladimir Putin, and a few would recommend bending the knee to an enemy of this nation,” Jeffries advised CNN’s Wolf Blitzer throughout a Wednesday look on “The State of affairs Room.”
The Democratic chief argued that there must be no query about where the U.S. stands between Russia and Ukraine.
“This warfare of aggression that Russia has launched towards Ukraine is obvious,” the Democratic chief continued. “It isn’t nearly territorial integrity, it is a battle between democracy and autocracy between freedom and tyranny, between fact and propaganda.”
He added, “The US of America ought to at all times stand on the facet of democracy and freedom and fact, and meaning standing on the facet of Ukraine till victory is gained.”
Jeffries additionally pressed Trump to fireside Protection Secretary Pete Hegseth after the Pentagon paused some weapons transfers to Ukraine final week amid evaluations of U.S. army stockpiles. The block was later lifted on the direction of Trump, who mentioned the deliveries have been essential for Kyiv to defend itself.
“Pete Hegseth is essentially the most unqualified protection secretary in American historical past,” the New York Democrat mentioned. “He undermines the flexibility of the Division of the Protection to maintain the American individuals protected.”
Trump, who has previously praised Russia’s chief, lashed out at Putin on Tuesday over what he described as disingenuous efforts to finish the battle with Ukraine. Trump campaigned on brokering a peace deal between the warring rivals final yr.
“We get numerous bulls— thrown at us by Putin, if you wish to know the reality,” the president mentioned. “He is very good to us on a regular basis, however it seems to be meaningless.”
Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) said Tuesday that he is pushing for a fast vote on a “robust” Russia sanctions package that may impose a 500 p.c tariff on imports from any nation that buys Russian fuel, uranium and oil. The proposal has greater than 80 Senate co-sponsors throughout each events.
Jeffries mentioned he would take a look at the specifics of the Senate’s sanctions measure earlier than taking a proper place on it.
“I’m a powerful supporter of constant to escalate and intensify the sanctions which were beforehand put into place relative to Russia till they again down and, you already know, withdraw from Ukraine and create a scenario the place Ukraine’s sovereignty might be restored and the killing of harmless civilians stops, together with the killing of Ukrainian kids which were focused by Russia and Vladimir Putin,” he mentioned.
A majority of People said in a poll last month that they help sanctions on Russia and its allies over the continued warfare with Ukraine.
Trump has steadily lamented the battle, however he has stopped in need of calling for harsher penalties for Moscow. He mentioned Tuesday that he is “” Graham’s sanctions proposal.
“That may be a warfare that it ought to have by no means occurred,” the president advised reporters. “Lots of people are dying, and it ought to finish.”