“[Bipartisan letter to President Trump from 14 senators, led by Jeanne Shaheen and Roger Wicker:] President Putin bears sole responsibility for launching Russia's full-scale war of aggression against Ukraine. Allowing him to participate in a G20 Summit in the United States raises serious concerns about legitimizing and normalizing a government that continues to attack Ukrainian civilian targets every day. … As Russia continues its war against Ukraine and refuses to agree to a just and lasting peace agreement, its government should not be afforded a business-as-usual treatment alongside other nations at G20 events. … We urge you to reverse course and rescind the invitation to President Putin.
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Statements (15)
“[President Trump] should keep in mind that his guest is a brutal, unelected and oppressive dictator who seeks to dominate his neighbors and whose massive military arsenal is aimed directly [at the United States]. … [I] would have suggested the president not invite [Xi] to Washington for such a lavish welcome here in the United States of America. [Wicker suggested Trump use the state dinner to ask Xi about] the purposes of China's massive military buildup, or about China's clear support for Iran.
“Quite frankly, had the White House asked me for advice, I would have suggested the president not invite Xi Jinping to Washington for such a lavish welcome here in the United States of America, based on all of the troubling issues we have with President Xi and the Chinese Communist Party. … Again, I would not have scheduled such a thing.
“My colleague Senator Shaheen and I introduce this resolution for Nemtsov, for Navalny, and for the courageous Russians who carry their torch today. Putin casts a repressive shadow over Russia, but these heroes work toward a bright future they cannot yet see. The U.S. Senate honors their efforts and looks forward to the day when Russia is led by and for its people.
“I applaud the House of Representatives for coming together to approve this consequential sanctions package. For more than four years, the purchasers of Russian oil and natural gas have provided Vladimir Putin with the means to carry on his vicious assault against Ukraine. … These sanctions target the financiers of the Russian war economy, forcing them to pay a heavy price if they continue to do business with the Kremlin. I urge President Trump to sign this legislation into law immediately and to use its authorities to the fullest extent.
“Congratulations to Adam Telle. The president made an excellent choice in appointing him to serve as Acting Secretary of the Army. Adam has been a fantastic partner as Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works. I am confident he will succeed in leading America's Army. Our country faces unprecedented threats from the Axis of the Aggressors, and the Army is crucial to maintaining deterrence. I look forward to working with Adam to ensure our soldiers have everything they need to execute their mission.
“Putin's reckless probing of Polish and Romanian territory coincides with the decision to withdraw U.S. brigade combat teams from each country over the last nine months — a decision I strongly disagreed with.
“The services’ munitions stockpiles are under extreme strain.
“I just hope we go ahead and finish the job in Iran.
“The rumored 60-day ceasefire — with the belief that Iran will ever engage in good faith — would be a disaster. The gains of Operation Epic Fury would be for naught.
“The freedom-loving people of Hungary have voted decisively in favor of democracy and the rule of law.
“This is a pivotal and necessary operation to protect Americans and American interests. The Iranian regime has never been weaker.
“I oppose amnesty for illegal immigrants and believe that the first step towards stopping the illegal immigration problem is to secure our borders.
“A Greenland takeover is a topic that should be dropped, and it would behoove the administration not to antagonize NATO allies.
“I thank General Brown for his decades of honorable service to our nation.