washington nine senators republican party urge president donald trump thursday take tough-minded approach russia join grow chorus lawmakers address concern might conciliatory toward moscow nine senators include senate number two republican john cornyn write letter trump cooperation moscow essential many areas call tough action ukraine syria cyber security however seek common grind russia areas mutual interest must never pursue cooperation russia expense fundamental interest defend ally promote value write letter say unite state condemn take step stop russian aggression ukraine include maintain sanction impose new ones necessary also want trump send ukraine lethal weapons defend trump open admiration russian president vladimir putin promise rebuild fray u.s. tie moscow raise question washington among u.s. ally commitment maintain sanction russia involvement fight ukraine annexation crimea ukraine letter also say washington enter agreement moscow syria russia stop support government syrian president bashar al-assad say washington counter cyber attack blame russia letter lead senator cory gardner besides cornyn gardner also sign jim inhofe todd young rob portman mike round joni ernst susan collins lindsey graham republicans democrats senate house representatives also introduce legislation seek additional action russia although action bill three weeks trump administration lawmakers also seek give congress voice whether trump issue series executive order range issue ease current sanction russia nine republican senators urge trump pursue tough russia policy