WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representative Adam Smith (D-Wash.), Ranking Member of the House Armed Services Committee, issued the following statement in response to President Donald Trump’s August 15^th meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

“This summit was a significant step backward in the effort to end Putin’s unjust and brutal war in Ukraine and benefitted only one party: Putin.
 
“Rather than use this opportunity to demonstrate U.S. strength and unity with Ukraine and the coalition of over 50 countries the Biden Administration helped build in opposition to Putin’s war, President Trump stood meekly next to Putin and let him spin a false narrative about the Russian invasion.
 
“President Trump also apparently agreed to taking the prospect of a ceasefire off the table, an illogical and counterproductive step if President Trump wants to end the war as quickly as possible. This development highlights the fact that Putin’s war has greatly accelerated in the seven months of Trump’s current presidency.
 
“This misstep is reminiscent of President Trump’s mishandling of Putin’s war in January, which gave Putin a complete pass for his illegal invasion and wrongly placed all the blame and pressure on President Zelenksy and Ukraine and allowed Russia a chance to regroup despite devastating losses.
 
“I give President Trump credit for engaging in dialogue with Putin. Having a conversation makes sense. But the president also needed to show strength and not let Putin manipulate the meeting to his advantage. Instead, President Trump demonstrated weakness on the world stage and in doing so moved all of us further from the prospect of peace.”