U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, and Representative Mike Rogers, Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, released a joint statement addressing the proposed peace plan between Russia and Ukraine.
In their statement, the chairmen expressed support for President Trump’s efforts to resolve the conflict in Ukraine. “We applaud President Trump’s current effort to help bring a peaceful end to the fighting in Ukraine. But we must all be mindful that Vladimir Putin is a brutal war criminal with a record of flagrantly violating international agreements.”
They emphasized conditions necessary for a lasting agreement: “For any agreement to secure a truly lasting peace, it must ensure Ukraine has a robust military, include iron-clad security guarantees, and reinforce NATO’s deterrence and defense posture.”
Wicker and Rogers also called for inclusive negotiations. “As negotiations on a peace plan continue, it is imperative that its terms are reasonably balanced. Both Ukraine and our NATO allies must be full participants in its design and invested in its outcome.”
The statement concluded with an appeal to Congress regarding potential sanctions if Russia does not accept the terms of the peace plan. “However, if this week Russia fails to agree to a reasonable, balanced, and enforceable peace agreement, we urge Congress to promptly pass the Russian sanctions bill and send it to the President for his immediate signature and implementation.”