Ranking Member Shaheen Issues Statement on Russian Drone Violation of NATO Ally Poland’s Airspace

WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, released the following statement in response to Russia's recent violation of NATO Ally Poland's airspace:

"Last week President Trump hosted the new Polish President Karol Nawrocki and reaffirmed America's commitment to Polish security against Russian aggression and now we have Putin's response. I welcome U.S. Ambassador to NATO Matthew Whitaker's affirmation that the Alliance will not hesitate to protect every inch of NATO territory in response to Putin's shocking action against Poland, but it is time to face the facts. President Trump has let Putin cross at least a half-dozen deadlines that he set with zero consequence. He has let the Pentagon undercut our Polish and Baltic allies by cutting security assistance to their militaries. And while the European Union prepares yet another sanctions package on Russia, Trump continues to drag his feet on imposing new sanctions.

"Enough is enough. Putin is playing with fire and it's time for Trump to show him there are consequences. That starts with this Administration finally moving on the bipartisan Graham-Blumenthal sanctions to crush Russia's war machine, coordinating a new package of sanctions against Russia and passing my bipartisan legislation to go after Russia's enablers in China. President Trump must also reign in Bridge Colby from undermining our commitment to deterrence, continue security assistance to our Eastern European Allies and commit to U.S. force presence in Eastern Europe. We should also uphold our commitment to Ukraine by passing my bipartisan legislation to equip Ukraine's military.

"Putin only understands strength but thus far all he has seen from President Trump is weakness. It is long past due for President Trump to get tough, get serious and end this bloody war."

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