Chairman Wicker Issues Statement on Ukraine Negotiations

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, today issued the following statement:

"I welcome reports that the United States, Ukraine, and Europe have coalesced around a common negotiating position to end Putin's war of aggression. The West's demonstration of unity sends a clear signal to Putin. His plan to divide us will fail. President Trump has succeeded in fostering unity, which allows the West to engage Putin from a position of strength.

"Putin, ever the KGB agent, continues to peddle a false narrative. He wants the world to believe that Russia will inevitably achieve its military goals in Ukraine. The facts on the ground say otherwise.

"Ukraine has successfully retaken Kupiansk, and Russia remains unable to seize Pokrovsk. Both illustrate that Putin's narrative rings hollow. Putin cannot generate the combat power needed to achieve his maximalist political goals. Ukraine continues to out-innovate Russia. Meanwhile, at President Trump's urging, our European allies have taken significant steps to rebuild their industrial base alongside the United States.

"Putin understands the unity of the West as the greatest threat to his aims. Otherwise, he would not peddle unsubstantiated claims of Ukrainian attacks against his residence in Novograd. We should not tolerate these lies. They are an obvious pretext for rejecting President Trump's peace terms.

"Ukraine is ready for peace on just and realistic terms. President Zelensky has repeatedly been willing to make public concessions as a part of negotiations. His country should not be compelled to accept a peace that requires it to cede unoccupied territory to the Russians. Such an outcome would hand Putin a negotiation victory that he has been unable to achieve on the battlefield. The U.S. and its NATO allies should increase military aid for Ukraine - in particular, air defenses and long-range strike weapons, which would further reinforce the fact that Putin's military objectives are unachievable. America and Europe possess the capital and the talent to arm Ukraine and fortify our own defenses elsewhere against those who would disturb the peace.

"Additionally, credible security guarantees for Ukraine are indispensable to any lasting cessation of hostilities. I welcome President Trump's suggestion that these security assurances be sent to the U.S. Senate for approval. The Senate's endorsement will strengthen the agreement's credibility and illustrate America's broad, bipartisan support for Ukraine.

"It is time to end this war. But the end of hostilities must not reward the aggressor or cause the victim to suffer further. President Trump has the stronger hand. I encourage him to leverage this advantage fully as he works to bring this war to a swift conclusion and achieve a lasting peace."

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