‘Putin has been jerking us around’: Republicans pile pressure on Trump over Russia

Washington: Republicans are increasing pressure on Donald Trump to hit Russia with fresh sanctions, with one warning the US president’s legacy is on the line as he wrestles with his response to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s largest ever drone and missile assault on Ukraine.

Three consecutive nights of Russian attacks have killed at least 12 civilians in Ukraine, including three children, prompting Trump to say Putin had “gone absolutely crazy”. But he directed further barbs at Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for airing his views about the Kremlin.

Donald Trump addresses a Memorial Day Observance at Arlington National Cemetery on Monday.Credit: AP

“Everything out of his mouth causes problems, I don’t like it, and it better stop,” Trump posted on Truth Social.

In the past week, Republicans have stepped up pressure on Trump to take advantage of a struggling Russian economy by imposing stronger sanctions that would bring Moscow to its knees and force Putin to negotiate.

Republican congressman Don Bacon, a former US Air Force commander, said it was good that Trump was “finally seeing the evil intentions and actions of Putin”, and warned the president’s legacy was on the line.

“Most Americans have not understood his criticisms focused on Zelensky and not Putin. It has hurt his credibility,” Bacon said.

“It is beyond time that we provide more lethal weapons to Ukraine and encourage Europe to do the same. The invasion started under Biden’s watch, but if Ukraine falls under Trump’s term, he will always be known for it in the history books.”

Meanwhile, senators led by Republican Lindsey Graham and Democrat Richard Blumenthal have attained super-majority support for a bill of “bone-crushing” economic sanctions on Moscow.

Graham said the bill had reached 82 co-sponsors in the 100-seat Senate and stood ready to be deployed if Putin did not commit to a ceasefire.

“If Mr Putin continues to play games, the Senate will act,” Graham said in a letter to The Wall Street Journal published on Tuesday (AEST). “I’m hoping for the best, but when it comes to the thug in Moscow, we should all prepare for more of the same.”

Ukrainian servicemen train in Zaporizhzhia region on Monday.Credit: Ukraine’s 65th Mechanized Brigade via AP

At the same time, veteran Republican senator Chuck Grassley, of Iowa, called for Trump to “at least” hit Putin with fresh sanctions.

“I’ve had enuf of Putin killing innocent ppl,” the 91-year-old posted on social media platform X. “Pres Trump Take action AT LEAST SANCTIONS.”

The Senate sanctions bill imposes 500 per cent tariffs on any country that buys Russian oil, gas or uranium. It also forbids any US citizen doing business with any foreign person who has done militaristic, democratic or human rights harm to Ukraine, or who operates in most sectors of the Russian economy.

In his letter to the editor, Graham noted he had been co-ordinating with the White House on the bill since its inception.

Republican Senate leader John Thune said on Thursday it was time for Putin to make a good-faith proposal for an immediate ceasefire that could lead to a just and lasting peace. “I hope he realises it’s time to do so. If not, the Senate stands ready to act,” he said.

But in the past week, some Republicans have made it clear they are frustrated with Trump’s handling of Putin.

“I’m not waiting for anything. I think we should bring it to the floor and put the hurt on Putin,” Todd Young, a Republican senator from Indiana, told US news site Semafor last week. “It’s pretty clear to me that Putin has been jerking us around for months, and I don’t think the United States of America should tolerate that.”

However, during Senate hearings last week, Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned against pulling the trigger on sanctions too early, saying the Trump administration was trying to draw Putin to the negotiating table.

Russian President Vladimir Putin attends an awards ceremony at the Kremlin on Thursday.Credit: AP

Trump reacted angrily to Putin’s weekend bombardment of Ukraine, indicating in a Truth Social post that he was perplexed and surprised by the Russian dictator’s actions.

“I’ve always had a very good relationship with Vladimir Putin of Russia, but something has happened to him,” Trump said. “He has gone absolutely CRAZY! He is needlessly killing a lot of people, and I’m not just talking about soldiers. Missiles and drones are being shot into cities in Ukraine, for no reason whatsoever.”

The Kremlin suggested Trump’s remarks were made in a context of “emotional overload”.

The European Union last week approved fresh sanctions on Russia, opting not to wait for US co-operation or approval.

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