Sen. Portman: Trump Lifting Russia Sanctions a 'Dangerous Message'

Ohio Republican Sen. Rob Portman, leader of the Senate Ukraine Caucus, says President Trump lifting Russia sanctions would send a "dangerous message" and said the U.S. must stand by its allies. 

"I am deeply concerned about reports suggesting that sanctions imposed on Russia may be lifted without resolving the unacceptable and hostile actions that caused the sanctions to be imposed by the U.S. and our allies," said Portman in a statement.

"I would encourage the president to reject this course of action. To lift the sanctions on Russia for any reason other than a change in the behavior that led to those sanctions in the first place would send a dangerous message to a world already questioning the value of American leadership and the credibility of our commitments after eight years of Obama administration policies," said Portman, member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

"We must stand by our allies in the region, including Ukraine. I believe the U.S. Senate should take pro-active steps to codify the sanctions against Russia into law to ensure we live up to our commitments to our allies and uphold longstanding American values and ideals," Portman wrote.