Kaptur Statement on President Trump’s Pressure on Ukraine
February 18, 2026
Toledo, OH – Today, Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-09), Co-Founder and Co-Chair of the Congressional Ukraine Caucus released the following statement on negotiations to end Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
“I am alarmed by reports that the Trump Administration is pressuring Ukraine into ceding its sovereign territory and the people who live on it to Russia as part of ongoing negotiations to end Russia’s war on Ukraine.
“Russia is not winning this war—it is losing more soldiers every month than during its entire 10-year war in Afghanistan. Dictator Vladimir Putin’s strategy is to win at the negotiating table what his soldiers cannot win on the battlefield. It’s a sign that Russia isn’t serious about peace and it’s a strategy the United States must not go along with.
“As we approach the fourth anniversary of this terrible and illegal full-scale invasion, we as Americans must remember that it is in our interest for a fellow democracy like Ukraine to prevail.
“It is in our interest to get Ukrainians the tools they need to defend their homes from Russian invaders. Under President Trump, US aid to Ukraine plummeted by 99%, emboldening Putin and making the war even deadlier as Russia escalates its terror attacks on civilians.
“Because President Trump ended support for Ukraine, Americans are missing out on the benefits of an alliance with Ukraine. Kyiv has announced it will open 10 offices across Europe to start exporting its cutting-edge drones and technology—but not in the United States. American manufacturers and our armed forces should be at the forefront of innovation, not left out because President Trump is pressuring our friends while giving Putin a free pass.
“We must act swiftly in Congress to pass mandatory sanctions on Russia and restore support for our partners in Ukraine. Pressuring Putin is the only path to a just and lasting peace, rather than a weak deal that paves the way to another Russian invasion.”
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Issues:
Trade