Some Republican lawmakers are rebuking President Donald Trump's criticism of his Ukrainian counterpart, Volodymyr Zelensky, which included calling him a "dictator without elections" and blaming Kyiv for Russia's invasion of the country.
Senator Kevin Cramer from North Dakota was among those who challenged the statements, saying Trump is "factually wrong." However, he sought to bring nuance, saying it could all be part of a negotiating strategy. "As a negotiator, he's always positioning," Cramer said, as reported by POLITICO.
Others Republican lawmakers who issued similar statements are Rep. Don Bacon, Senate Majority Leader John Thune and Sen. Thom Tillis, who visited Ukraine the past weekend. "There is no equivalency between Vladimir Putin and President Zelensky," Tillis said. "President Putin is evil, and he has to be stopped."
Thune, on his end, said "there's no question who started the war," adding that "Russia's the aggressor here, there's no question about that, and hopefully we can find a path forward." "The war has gone on three years now, and I'm hopeful that the discussion will lead us to some sort of agreement that will bring the war to an end."
Tensions increased on Wednesday as Trump warned Zelensky should "move fast" on negotiations or "he is not going to have a country left." "In the meantime, we are successfully negotiating an end to the War with Russia, something all admit only "TRUMP," and the Trump Administration, can do," Trump wrote on Truth Social on Wednesday.
Trump has repeatedly criticized American financial aid to Kyiv and has suggested that Ukraine should compensate the US through resource deals. Zelensky, in turn, accused Trump of being influenced by Russian disinformation, prompting the fiery response from Trump, in which he attacked Zelensky's leadership and questioned his legitimacy.
Trump's comments echoed Kremlin rhetoric, as he claimed that Zelensky had overstayed his term and refused to hold elections. However, under Ukrainian law, elections cannot be held while the country is under martial law due to the ongoing Russian invasion, as per the Daily Mail.
Trump also said U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent was treated "rudely" during a visit to Kyiv last week, accusing Zelensky of "sleeping" and failing to make a deal. Bessent was in the country to discuss granting the U.S. access to rare earth minerals in Ukraine in return for security support. "Scott Bessent actually went there and was treated rather rudely, because essentially, they told him 'no'," Trump told reporters on Air Force One. "They wouldn't sign the document," Trump added.
Democrats came to criticize Trump over his handling of the relations, with Sen. Richard Blumenthal calling his comments a "disgusting betrayal" of Ukraine.
"What world is he living in?" Blumenthal said. "It is not only contrary to the facts and the truth but utterly despicable, a disgusting betrayal of a country that has bled and fought and died for freedom. The president's surrender is pathetic and weak."
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