Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer said Sunday he is concerned that President Trump will “cave” to the demands of Russian President Vladimir Putin amid rising skepticism over whether a peace deal can be reached to end Moscow’s war in Ukraine.
The New York Democrat said it would be a “moral tragedy” if Mr. Trump turns his back on Ukraine and reduces the chances that European allies “trust us ever again.”
“It is a sign that the United States is weak,” Mr. Schumer said on CNN’s “State of the Union.” “It sends a signal to every dictator in China, in North Korea, in Iran, that if you stand up and bully Trump, you are going to get your way.”
Mr. Trump said over the weekend he doubts Mr. Putin wants to end his war against Ukraine following another round of missile strikes in Kyiv.
“There was no reason for Putin to be shooting missiles into civilian areas, cities and towns, over the last few days,” Mr. Trump posted on social media after attending Pope Francis’ funeral at the Vatican, where he met briefly with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Mr. Trump also suggested Russia could face stiffer sanctions.
“It makes me think that maybe he doesn’t want to stop the war, he’s just tapping me along, and has to be dealt with differently, through “Banking” or “Secondary Sanctions?” Too many people are dying!!!” Mr. Trump posted.
It marked a change of tone.
Mr. Trump has said the two sides were “very close to a deal” after his special envoy, Steve Witkoff, met with Mr. Putin for three hours in Moscow on Friday.
On Sunday, Mr. Schumer said he is “very worried about where [Mr. Trump] is headed” in the negotiations with Russia.
“I think he is in a position where he feels he can sell out Zelensky,” Mr. Schumer said.
