Schumer Statement on Call With Secretary Pompeo Ahead of Trump-Putin Meeting

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer today released the following statement after speaking with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo ahead of the Trump-Putin meeting in Helsinki:

“I spoke with Secretary Pompeo on the eve of the Helsinki summit to make three points. First, I don’t believe the meeting should take place but if it is going to happen, President Trump must press Putin hard on the issue of election interference. He can’t simply raise it, accept Putin’s denial and then let him off the hook.

“Second, the President must demand that the 12 Russians named in the indictment be sent to the U.S. to stand trial.

“And third, President Trump should not agree to weaken, lift, or curtail any of the sanctions on Russia, no matter what Putin asks. 

“President Putin’s interference in our 2016 elections and our upcoming election is a serious threat to our democracy that transcends political parties. For President Trump to meet with President Putin without expressing the outrage of the American people and securing real progress would be terrible for the United States and the security of our election system.”

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