Ukraine’s top diplomat warned that the United States cannot afford to look weak in the face of increased threats from the deepening cooperation between Russia, North Korea and Iran, addressing lawmakers on Capitol Hill on Tuesday.

Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha‎ was in Washington marking 1,000 days of Ukraine’s defensive war against Russia, warning against an “existential challenge” for Western democracies in confronting lawlessness from regimes in Moscow, Tehran and Pyongyang.

“Under these circumstances, the United States cannot afford to look weak. Russia, Iran, and North Korea will perceive any sign of weakness as an invitation to directly harm American interests and security,” Sybiha‎ warned during a hearing of the Helsinki Commission.

The foreign minister’s remarks served as a signal to President-elect Trump, who has pledged to pursue “peace through strength." But Trump’s criticism of U.S. spending on Ukraine has........

© The Hill