The United States has to approach Russia "through strength and resolve" — including with sanctions that "actually work," Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis., said Thursday.
In an interview on Johnson said he was not opposed to the idea of President Donald Trump meeting with Vladimir Putin at the White House in the fall.
"This is a president that really does value personal relationships," Johnson said. "I would much rather be talking to adversaries that not talking to them . . . I would rather improve relations with them then see them further deteriorate. The way that you do that is through discussion."
Johnson said Russia's cyber attacks "and other cyber intrusions into our infrastructure" are among "so many things that we need to be concerned about."
"We have to draw the line and approached Russia through strength and resolve, and we have to make sure that what sanctions we impose actually work, to try to change their behavior for the better," he said.
Johnson also said he is concerned the White House will let a trade war with Europe and China drag on for too long.
"It is my responsibility, and hopefully these anecdotes from small businesses, people that support him, that want to see him succeed, it is important that this administration understand that it is not short-term pain for long-term gain," Johnson added. "There is permanent damage being done right now."
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