Republican Senators Criticize Putin as a ‘Gangster’ but Insist Zelensky Should Face Voters Following Trump’s ‘Dictator’ Criticism

Some Republican senators who gathered shortly after President Donald Trump referred to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky as a ‘dictator’ are supporting Trump’s insistence for Zelensky to be judged by the voters in Ukraine.

Despite Trump’s surprising change of stance where he accused Zelensky of initiating the war and stated that he ‘should have ended it,’ certain Russia critics within Trump’s party are still condemning Russian President Vladimir Putin as the primary instigator of the conflict.

‘From my perspective, Vladimir Putin instigated the war,’ expressed Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.). Kennedy also expressed his belief, based on past encounters, that Putin is a ruthless individual with sinister intentions, akin to a ‘gangster’ possessing a dark heart, drawing parallels with Josef Stalin’s penchant for violence.

But other Senate Republicans picked up Trump’s criticism that Zelensky, who declared martial law after Putin’s troops invaded his country, must now stand for reelection following the first talks between U.S. and Russian negotiators. That is a key demand of Moscow. 

‘We need elections in Ukraine,’ Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) said after emerging from a luncheon of Senate Republicans attended by VP JD Vance. ‘Soon,’ the Trump ally told DailyMail.com.

‘He should hold an election,’ said Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.).

‘We held elections during World War II,’ Hawley told DailyMail.com. ‘Britain held elections during World War II. They’re a democracy. They should hold elections. I don’t think that’s different.’

President Donald Trump’s stunning comments blaming 

He added: ‘I’m concerned they haven’t held an election in a long time and we are funding their government.’

Zelensky posted on X Wednesday that he spoke to Graham by phone. ‘We greatly appreciate the bicameral and bipartisan support of the US Congress to the Ukrainian people in our fight against the Russian aggression,’ he wrote. 

He also was rushing to reach out to world leaders to shore up his country’s position, amid fears it could get carved up at the negotiating table. Zelensky said he will met with Trump’s envoy Gen. Keith Kellogg on Thursday. 

As always, Senator Graham is constructive and doing a lot to help bring peace closer. It’s all-important that security guarantees remain on the table—and that they work for Ukraine, for real and lasting peace.’

That appreciative phone call came after Vice President JD Vance criticized Zelensky’s own slaps at Trump for pushing ‘disinformation’ in exclusive comments to DailyMail.com.

‘The idea that Zelensky is going to change the president’s mind by bad mouthing him in public media, everyone who knows the president will tell you that is an atrocious way to deal with this administration 

Trump called Zelensky a ‘dictator’ and a ‘modestly successful comedian’

Congress has steered billions in military aid to Ukraine, but public support has been waning

Zelensky said he spoke to Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) following Trump’s ‘dictator’ attack on him

‘I think Vladimir Putin started the war,’ said Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.)

Zelensky declared martial law after Russia’s 2022 invasion of his country. Elections were to be held in 2024. In a stunning move, Trump attacked Zelensky as a dictator, calling him a ‘modestly successful comedian’ a day after accusing Ukraine of starting the war.

Moscow, and now Trump, have said he should stand for reelection before any peace deal can go into effect. That comes after Russian negotiators and their U.S. counterparts discussed potential economic cooperation. The Russian side even said the sides discussed potential joint oil and gas drilling in the Arctic.

Trump’s comments forced lawmakers of his own party to grapple for ways to explain the administration’s new posture, after years of steering billions to aid Ukraine’s fight.

‘The President speaks for himself,’ said new Senate Majority Leader John Thune.

Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) said he disagreed with Trump’s decision to meet with the Russians without the Ukrainians being present. ‘“They were invaded by Putin and he’s responsible for murder, rape, torture, kidnapping of an untold number of Ukrainians. They’ve got to be at the table,’ he said. 

Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) told CNN Monday when asked if Putin can be trusted in talks: ‘No. Putin is a war criminal who should be in jail for the rest of his life, if not executed.’