Ernst Statement on President Trump Press Conference with Russian President Putin

WASHINGTON – Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA) released the following statement, today, following President Donald Trump’s press conference with Russian President Vladimir Putin:

“I have the utmost faith in the U.S. intelligence community and their assessment that Russia interfered in the 2016 election.  Russia has never been a friend to the U.S., and they continue to pose a threat to America and our allies. 

“We need to be cautious in how we approach our dealings with Russia.  I hope that President Trump, today, delivered a strong message behind closed doors that Russia will continue to be punished for their illegal annexation of Ukraine in 2014, their abhorrent support for the murderous Bashar al-Assad regime in Syria and their aggressive actions in U.S. domestic policy.  I am also hopeful President Trump discussed Russia’s role in the Balkans, as Iowa’s sister state, Kosovo, continues to be threatened by Russia’s hybrid warfare tactics in Serbia.”