Republicans Push Back Against Trump’s Claims on Russia’s War in Ukraine

Many U.S. Republicans have pushed back against President Donald Trump’s latest remarks on Ukraine and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Speaking at Mar-a-Lago on February 18, Trump accused Ukraine of starting the war. The following day, he called Zelenskyy a ‘dictator’ and questioned his democratic legitimacy.

Congressman Don Bacon

“Putin started this war. Putin committed war crimes. Putin is the dictator who murdered his opponents. The EU nations have contributed more to Ukraine. Zelensky polls over 50%. Ukraine wants to be part of the West, Putin hates the West. I don’t accept George Orwell’s doublethink.”

Former Vice President Mike Pence

“Mr. President, Ukraine did not “start” this war. Russia launched an unprovoked and brutal invasion claiming hundreds of thousands of lives. The Road to Peace must be built on the Truth.”

Senator Roger Wicker

“Putin is a war criminal and should be in jail for the rest of his life, if not executed.”

Senator Susan Collins

“We must remember that the instigator of this [war] was Russia. It was President Putin who launched an unprovoked attack.”

Senator Tom Tillis

“There is no more equivalency between Vladimir Putin and President Zelenskyy. President Putin is evil, and he has to be stopped.”

“Vladimir Putin is a murderous dictator who started this war, ordered the occupation, and now the souls of tens of thousands of Ukrainians are lost on his watch.”

“He has lied every step of the way, and I believe any resolution in Ukraine that makes him feel like he won or just pushed to a tie is a bad idea.”

On February 20, it was reported that Trump warned Zelenskyy he must “move fast” to negotiate an end to Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine or risk losing the country he leads.