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Sen. Wicker pushes Trump on Ukraine oil-for-missiles deal, warns of global threat
JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) - Sen. Roger Wicker is urging President Trump to back a proposed deal between Ukraine and Russia that would trade limits on Ukrainian strikes on Russian oil refineries for Ukraine’s ability to target launch pads used to attack civilian areas.
Wicker, chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, appealed to a group of Madison County business leaders Tuesday.
“We are in the worst national, international, security situation that we’ve been in since my daddy was a private in World War II,” Wicker said.
Wicker made headlines this week for urging the president to back the strategy, ending a social media post in all caps: “MR. PRESIDENT, PLEASE TAKE THIS WIN!”
“We brought a proposal to President Zelensky, and it involved him refraining from attacking the Russian oil markets and the manufacturing plants and refineries,” Wicker said. “Of course, if they would do that, then prices worldwide would go down. In return for that, Ukraine would be allowed to target the launching pads that are launched into civilian areas. So I thought it was a good trade. Protect civilians in Ukraine, protect the oil reserves for the rest of the world.”
The push comes after Wicker led a congressional delegation to Ukraine earlier this month.
“This is a war-torn nation. But during the day, if the sirens aren’t going, people are going to work and going about their business. What I hate to see is that President Putin is targeting civilians,” Wicker said.
Wicker warned of a deepening “axis of aggression,” pointing to Russia, China and Iran working together to sow instability. He said backing Ukraine is not a course correction for U.S. leadership, but a promise America must keep.
“I think most Americans want this war to end. But they want to see it end with freedom for a people in Ukraine who haven’t done anything to deserve an invasion,” Wicker said.
Wicker said he still has a working dialogue with President Trump and plans to continue making the case for the deal as they debate future defense spending.
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