Originally Posted by Rod Kaufman
It's not just the view of the "Canadian to the North":
"Republican lawmakers are sounding the alarm over the Trump administration’s pointed refusal to blame Russia for starting the war in Ukraine, and they are highly skeptical about negotiating any lasting peace deal with Russian President Vladimir Putin, whom some describe as a war criminal."
"The Republican criticism of President Trump’s strategy for ending the war in Ukraine comes after the United States voted with Russia and its allies, such as North Korea and Belarus, against a United Nations resolution condemning Russian aggression toward Ukraine and calling for the withdrawal of its troops from the country."
"Sen. John Curtis (R-Utah) said he was “deeply troubled” that the U.S. voted Monday with Russia and North Korea and against traditional allies such as Britain and France, which supported the resolution condemning Russia and calling for a restoration of Ukraine’s borders."
"He warned that any end to the war “must be achieved on terms that ensure Ukraine’s sovereignty and security” and “deter” Putin from future territorial aggression."
"Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) on Tuesday marked the third anniversary of Russia’s “unprovoked war on Ukraine.”
“We all want this senseless war to end, but ending it on Russia’s terms would be a devastating mistake that plays right into Putin’s bloody hands,” Murkowski posted on social media.
"She later noted Trump has “the authority” to pursue a peace deal but warned that any such deal would be “unacceptable” if Putin sets the terms."
"Some of the strongest pushback in the conference came from McConnell, who now leads the Senate’s Appropriations defense subcommittee."
“America is right to seek an end to this war, but an end that fails to constrain Russian ambition, ensure Ukrainian sovereignty or strengthen American credibility with both allies and adversaries is no end at all. Instead, such a hollow peace would invite further aggression,” he said in a statement Monday.
"Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) said he “disagreed” with the U.S. vote against the resolution condemning Russian aggression."
“Putin is a murderer who’s ordered the systematic capture, kidnapping, rape and torture of countless numbers of Ukrainians,” he said. “That would have been my vote recommendation.”
"He argued Putin can’t be trusted to uphold any peace deal, a warning echoed by other GOP lawmakers."
Several Republican senators Tuesday, including Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.), avowed that Russia is solely to blame for the conflict.
“We’re not confused about the facts. That is a fact,” Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) said.
"Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.) said “Russia’s clearly the aggressor.”
"Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), a close Trump ally and prominent voice on national security issues, said “Russia is the aggressor.”
"Senate Armed Services Committee Chair Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) last week rejected Trump’s lenient view of Putin, telling CNN in an interview that the Russian president is a “war criminal who should be in jail for life.”
https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/5164032-republicans-blast-trump-russia-ukraine/
Of course Russia is solely responsible. Everyone knows this, no matter what the US said in the UN. There are games being played at the UN.
I can see why you and Dave would be skeptical of Trump's chances of brokering peace. I am too. I still think the talks that are occurring are better than nothing and certainly better than another 4 years of war and death. We'll see what Zelensky says after Friday.
