Sen. John McCain sent a letter to President Trump this week urging him to provide lethal assistance to Ukrainians defending their territory against Russian attacks.
The letter, released by McCain’s office on Thursday, said Russia and its proxy forces killed at least seven Ukrainian soldiers this week and wounded dozens more.
“That this surge of attacks began the day after he talked with you by phone is a clear indication that Vladimir Putin is moving quickly to test you as commander-in-chief. America’s response will have lasting consequences,” McCain wrote in the letter.
Congress has already given the White House the authority to send lethal aid to Ukraine, but President Obama never exercised that, instead sending Ukrainians non-lethal assistance.
McCain, who has long fought for giving Ukrainian fighters the tools with which to defend themselves, also called on Trump to maintain or expand sanctions against Russia.
“Ukrainians are not asking Americans to do their fighting,” McCain wrote. “But America does have a proud history of helping free people to defend themselves. We should do so once more by giving our Ukrainian friends the assistance they need and deserve. Failing to do so now not only risks Ukraine’s sovereignty, but the further erosion of American credibility.”
Trump has praised Putin as being a “very smart” leader and has promised to build a better relationship with Russia as president.
