Pompeo Says He ‘Raised All of the Issues’ With Russia When Asked About Reported Bounties on US Troops

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is defending the Trump administration’s handling of reports suggesting Russian operatives placed bounties on U.S. soldiers in Afghanistan.

During his testimony before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Thursday, Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) asked Pompeo if he raised the issue with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.

Pompeo insisted he has raised all of his concerns with 🇷🇺Russia.

“Yes, I can assure you and the American people that each time I’ve spoken with Foreign Minister Lavrov, I have raised all of the issues that put any American interests at risk, whether it’s our soldiers on the ground in Syria, soldiers on the ground in Afghanistan, the activities that are taking place in Libya, the actions in Ukraine,” Pompeo said.

He added, “Each and every one of these that potentially threaten American interests are things that I raised in my conversations with Foreign Minister Lavrov and I speak with him with some frequency.”

Watch his testimony below:

Pompeo’s comments come just one day after President Donald Trump said he has not confronted Russian President Vladimir Putin on whether Russia