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 regarding ongoing efforts to encourage Russia to enter peace negotiations with Ukraine.
The statement notes that Ukraine has agreed to former President Trump’s proposal for negotiations based on the current line of control and an immediate ceasefire. However, the lawmakers criticized Russian President Vladimir Putin for what they described as “delay tactics and empty promises,” stating that he is not willing to end the conflict. They emphasized the need for coordinated and sustained pressure on Russia.
Wicker and Rogers expressed support for new sanctions announced by President Trump and Secretary Bessent. They called for the United States and its allies to increase sanctions, including ending imports of Russian energy, using frozen Russian sovereign assets in the U.S. and Europe for security assistance, and working with European partners such as the United Kingdom and the Netherlands to provide Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine. The statement also urged Germany to contribute Taurus missiles.
“President Trump was right when he said this summer that to win, a nation must be able to go on offense. Equipping Ukraine with additional long-range systems and authorizing their use against key military targets in Russia would strengthen Ukraine’s position at the negotiating table and advance President Trump’s vision of a lasting peace,” Wicker and Rogers stated.
