WASHINGTON, DC—Today, after President Trump and Vice President Vance held a press event with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the White House, during which they ridiculed Zelenskyy and Ukraine’s war of survival against Russia, U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI), the Ranking Member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, issued the following statement:

“Today’s spectacle in the Oval Office was a political ambush and a shameful failure of American leadership.

“President Zelenskyy and the people of Ukraine are fighting for their very lives and existence. Unlike Donald Trump or JD Vance, I have traveled to Ukraine and seen firsthand the death and destruction wrought by Vladimir Putin against innocent people. To mock Ukraine and our allies is a travesty that only benefits Putin.

“Furthermore, today’s cruel and callous display does great harm to U.S. standing in the world. Trump and Vance are communicating to the world that the United States is not to be trusted. Adversaries and allies alike will take note.  

“To my Republican colleagues, where is your voice? We are watching America’s leaders surrender to Russia, forfeit our leadership in the world, and do strategic harm to our country — and for what? This is not who we are, and silence is complicity.

“I will always stand with Ukraine and place America’s national security interests above theatrics and craven partisanship.”

Last night, Senator Reed spoke on the floor of the U.S. Senate to reject the Trump Administration’s weak, dangerous strategy toward Ukraine and NATO. His full remarks can be found here.