Durbin Criticizes President Trump’s Decision To Lift Sanctions On Russian Oil As Putin’s War In Ukraine Continues

Durbin Criticizes President Trump's Decision To Lift Sanctions On Russian Oil As Putin's War In Ukraine Continues

During a speech on the Senate floor, Durbin criticizes President Trump's foreign policy decisions including his war of choice in Iran

WASHINGTON -U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Co-Chair of the Senate Ukraine Caucus, today delivered a speech on the Senate floor criticizing President Trump's recent foreign policy decisions including lifting sanctions on Russian oil as gas prices continue to climb due to Trump's war against Iran. Trump's decision to lift these sanctions comes despite Vladimir Putin's continued assault on Ukraine and his sharing intelligence with Iran, which is being used to target American service members. Durbin began his speech by reflecting on Russia's war in Ukraine.

"I remember that morning vividly, sitting with Senator Coons, the senior Senator from Delaware on a dark, early morning at the airport in Lithuania-a country that knows all too well the threat posed by Russia throughout history. The loss of life from Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine has been staggering, with nearly two million total casualties. Millions more Ukrainians have been displaced, and thousands of Ukrainian children have been abducted to Russia. President Trump bragged more times than I can remember that he would end the Ukrainian war on day one if re-elected. To his credit, the U.S. has fostered a series of talks between Ukraine and Russia," said Durbin.

Durbin continued, "While I strongly support American help to ensure Ukraine can defend itself, a diplomatic resolution is always preferable. [But] it is devastatingly clear to everyone-except, it seems, to the President-that Putin isn't serious about reaching a peace deal in Ukraine. Putin continues to play for time calling and manipulating President Trump at key moments, including last week to brazenly offer help in the Middle East while simultaneously [giving] Iran intelligence to target Americans-time and again, President Trump has only pressed Ukraine to reach a deal, [and] never pressed Putin."

"And last week, Trump defied common sense when he lifted sanctions on Russian oil because of what should have been foreseeable chaos in the energy markets due to his invasion in Iran. And for reasons I simply cannot explain, this chamber has refused to pass Russia sanctions legislation with more than 85 cosponsors. Let me be clear: Putin only responds to strength. He is stringing along U.S.-led peace negotiations while relentlessly bombing Ukraine while helping Iran target American service members. It's time for President Trump to finally learn this lesson and for the Senate to pass legislation increasing pressure on Putin to negotiate," Durbin concluded.

Video of Durbin's remarks on the Senate floor is available here.

Audio of Durbin's remarks on the Senate floor is available here.

Footage of Durbin's remarks on the Senate floor is available here for TV Stations.

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