Release: NDN Calls on Trump, Congress to Respond to Russian Aggression in Europe

“There is perhaps no greater threat to the West and to the United States today than Russia’s escalating belligerence. In recent months Russia has stepped up its military campaign in Eastern Ukraine, taken other provocative actions on NATO’s edge, and today the UK and France had to scramble jets to intercept Russian bombers circling the UK.

But Russia’s aggression is also manifesting itself in its willingness to intervene directly in the domestic politics of the United States, the UK, France, Germany, Italy and other American allies. This unprecedented campaign is ongoing, as new reports from France indicate.

A traditional American President would be condemning this Russian aggression, holding high level consultation with our European allies, and discussing additional steps, including more expansive sanctions, to deter this Russian aggression. None of this has happened.

Despite commenting on dozens of often inane subjects on Twitter these past few weeks, including his daughter’s clothing business, the ratings of his television show and election fraud that never took place, our new President has refused to condemn these worrisome Russian actions. A failure to act decisively in the coming days will be appeasement of a newly aggressive Russia on a grand historic scale, and must not be allowed to happen. If the Trump Administration is unwilling to act Congress must step up. The new McCain-Cardin bill in the Senate is a good first step, and it deserves the support of all members of Congress in both parties. But it is only a first step, and countering a rising Russia and preserving the West must become the central foreign policy objective of American leaders now.”