Republican senators call out 'gangster' Putin but demand Zelensky face voters after Trump's 'dictator' attack

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

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'

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

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

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.)

‘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.’ 

You May Also Like
Jewish Republican lawmaker talks antisemitism in America after deadly DC shooting

Republican Lawmaker Discusses Antisemitism in America Following Fatal Shooting in DC

The recent tragic shooting outside the Capital Jewish Museum near Washington, D.C.…
'Dancing with the Stars', Stephen Nedoroscik, and 'Welcome to Wrexham' win at 2025 Critics Choice Real TV Awards

Winners of 2025 Critics Choice Real TV Awards: ‘Dancing with the Stars’, Stephen Nedoroscik, and ‘Welcome to Wrexham’

The Critics Choice Association has revealed the champions of the seventh annual…
Huge heart attack risk linked to dirty habit that MILLIONS of Americans are doing daily

High risk of heart attack associated with common unhealthy behavior practiced by millions of Americans every day

Regularly smoking weed or consuming edibles may raise the risk of suffering…
‘And Just Like That…’ Season 3 Episode 1 Recap: Phone Sex and Virgin Nuns

Recap of Season 3 Episode 1 of ‘And Just Like That…’: Exploring Phone Sex and Virgin Nuns

It’s hard to believe that it’s been almost two years since the…
Historian who Joe Rogan slammed as his 'worst ever guest' hits back about what REALLY happened on the podcast

Historian Responds to Joe Rogan’s Criticism as “Worst Ever Guest” and Clarifies Podcast Experience

The archaeologists Joe Rogan deemed his ‘worst guest’ has broken his silence…
Is ‘9-1-1’ On Tonight? Here’s When ‘9-1-1’ Returns With New Episodes On ABC

“When Will ‘9-1-1’ Return with New Episodes on ABC?”

It has been three weeks since the heartbreaking conclusion of the latest…
Crime Gun Intelligence Center's expanded effort to track, prevent gun violence in Chicago deemed a success, game changer

Success: Chicago’s expanded initiative to track and prevent gun violence proves to be a game changer

CHICAGO (WLS) — Recent reports are showing a decrease in violent crime…
Exclusive video: Feds bust fraud ring accused of stealing $47M in COVID, small business loans

Video: Authorities arrest fraud group allegedly stealing $47 million in COVID relief and small business loans

For the second week in a row, the Department of Homeland Security…
Local charges dropped as feds target Venezuelan accused of posing as teen at Ohio high school

Federal authorities focus on Venezuelan individual accused of impersonating a teenager at an Ohio high school, leading to dropped charges at the local level.

An illegal immigrant from Venezuela who was allegedly caught posing as a…
All the Celebrities at Knicks vs. Pacers Game 5 of the NBA Eastern Conference Finals

Famous people attending Game 5 of the NBA Eastern Conference Finals between the Knicks and Pacers

Several celebrities, including Kylie Jenner and Timothée Chalamet, were spotted at Game…
Chicago alderman slams mayor's hiring practices as 'giant leap in the wrong direction' amid DOJ probe

Chicago alderman criticizes mayor’s hiring practices as a ‘significant setback’ during DOJ investigation

Mayor Brandon Johnson’s hiring practices are under investigation by the Department of…
'Bachelor' podcast: Theresa Nist's life after Gerry, and 'Paradise' FOMO

Podcast Recap: Theresa Nist’s Journey post-Gerry, and ‘Paradise’ Fear of Missing Out

HUDSON SQUARE, Manhattan — This week on “Playing the Field” Ryan Field…