Denver — Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet, a member of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, issued the following statement ahead of the Washington, D.C. meeting between President Trump, President Zelensky, and other European leaders:
“Clear-eyed, tough-nosed diplomacy is ultimately the only way to end this war.
“But it would be a dangerous mistake for Ukraine – and its international partners, including the United States – to accept the flawed peace deal on the table, which is grounded in President Putin’s personal historical grievances and which legitimizes Russia’s gambit to change Europe’s borders by force. Accepting this deal would pose unacceptable risks to our NATO allies and U.S. servicemembers on the continent, while undermining U.S. interests and emboldening other autocrats, including China’s Xi Jinping, who have their own territorial ambitions.
“President Trump says he wants ‘peace through strength.’ Achieving that aim will require continued American resolve and close coordination with our NATO allies – which means bolstering Ukraine with additional arms, intelligence, and military support while working with our allies, not caving to Putin’s flattery.
“Amid Putin’s intransigence and continued daily attacks on civilians – including such as those that killed several Ukrainians last night in Kharkiv, Odesa, Zaporizhzhia, and other regions – Congress must promptly impose additional bipartisan sanctions on Russia and advance the national defense and intelligence bills that include crucial assistance for Ukraine.
“Equally vital, Congress must affirm and clarify the United States’ long-term commitment to Ukraine’s sovereignty and security. Absent such clarity, any potential future ‘security guarantee’ to Ukraine risks being worthless and would leave both Ukraine and our NATO allies vulnerable to further Russian aggression.
“We must not allow history to repeat itself. The United States and the West cannot capitulate to a Russian leader in Putin who has labeled the liberation of millions of Ukrainians and other Europeans from the yoke of Soviet tyranny the 20th century’s ‘greatest geopolitical catastrophe.’
“Only by demonstrating our firm resolve can the United States and our allies support Ukraine to negotiate a just and durable end to this unprovoked war and successfully defend the principle of a Europe whole, free, and at peace.”
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