WASHINGTON DC – The top Democrats in the US Senate lash out at President Donald Trump for failing to stand up against Putin in light of Russia’s latest mounting deadly barrage on Ukrainian cities, Kyiv Post’s Washington correspondent reports from Capitol Hill.
The move came just days after the US President Donald Trump announced that his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin vowed during a phone call with him that Moscow was seeking “revenge” for the Ukrainian operation targeting his bomber fleet.
“Donald Trump is busy announcing Putin’s military plans like a press secretary. Why is he acting like a bystander? He is the President of the United States. Donald Trump should show some backbone,” Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY), the minority leader, told a Senate floor session.
According to him, Trump should have stood up against Putin by telling him to “stop killing Ukrainian civilians. Stop [your] illegal invasion.”
The top Democrat went on to urge the Trump administration to help Ukraine defend itself with air defense systems, specifically, ammunition for its Patriot systems that the US or European allies could provide.
“Ukraine has said these air defense systems are the best tools for protecting civilian life from Russian military strikes. We ought to do all we can to get them these very needed air defense systems ASAP,” Schumer emphasized.
Russia on Friday struck Ukraine with a thunderous aerial bombardment overnight, further dampening hopes that the warring sides could reach a peace deal anytime soon.
On Friday, five top Democratic Senators – leader Schumer, Sen. Jack Reed (D-RI), Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA), Sen Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Sen. Chris Coons (D-DE) introduced a resolution called “Condemning Russia’s devastating aerial bombardment on the people of Ukraine, particularly the use of increasingly advanced ballistic missiles, and expressing support for securing more air defense systems.”
The legislation calls on the US President to rapidly approve the re-export of US air defense systems by its allies and partners to Ukraine, particularly the most advanced systems, according to a copy of the draft seen by Kyiv Post.
In particular, the authors call on Trump to take swift action to identify additional air defense systems, including advanced PATRIOTs and interceptors; NASAMs, AMRAAMs and other critical air defense systems within existing US stocks for transfer to Ukraine to provide a layered defense against Russian attacks.
The resolution also supports the continued and uninterrupted provision of US security assistance, including training, advisory support, and intelligence regarding the disposition of Russian forces and location data to strengthen Ukraine’s hand in direct discussions with Russia to secure a lasting peace.
In conclusion, the legislation reaffirms that it must remain the US policy to provide “sustainable levels of security assistance to Ukraine to provide a credible defense and deterrence capacity and support Ukraine’s sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity, and democracy as outlined in the Bilateral Security Agreement signed by the US and Ukraine on June 13, 2024.”