Washington, D.C. — Congressman August Pfluger (TX-11) released a statement following President Biden’s meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Geneva:

“I am encouraged that President Biden heeded our calls to raise the heartbreaking imprisonment of Trevor Reed and Paul Whelan up to Vladimir Putin today. However, President Biden must follow through on this discussion and bring Trevor and Paul home. We cannot rest until they are reunited safely with their families on American soil.

“President Biden also spoke of imposing consequences on Russia for their malign actions and human rights abuses, but his actions following Russia’s recent aggressions have been anything but strong. In the first few months of his presidency, President Biden has already extended the disastrous New START nuclear arms treaty, handed Russia dominance over the global energy market by greenlighting the Nord Stream II pipeline, and is allowing Russia to harbor cybercriminal groups attacking critical American agriculture and energy infrastructure.

“If President Biden is to counter Putin’s hostility, he must make it clear to Vladimir Putin that the United States will not compromise on our values or interests, and we will hold them accountable.”