As Donald Trump gets ready for an important meeting with Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky, some Republican senators have teamed up with Democrats to deliver a serious message. They aren’t holding back as they remind Trump about the stakes involved.
Zelensky, who is 47, is headed to Mar-a-Lago on Sunday. The agenda? To weigh options for peace surrounding Russia’s ongoing aggression towards Ukraine. This comes amidst Trump’s past efforts to pressure Ukraine into accepting a deal more pleasing to Vladimir Putin, the Russian President.
In light of recent violent developments—where Putin unleashed a barrage of drones and missiles over the holidays—GOP senators Thom Tillis, Jerry Moran, and John Barrasso issued a unified reminder about Putin’s character. They aren’t shying away from calling him a “ruthless murderer.”
The senators made their position clear: “Today’s escalation in aggressiveness by Putin reinforces that he is untrustworthy and has no genuine interest in pursuing a peaceful resolution,” they stated, highlighting how even an agreement for a Christmas ceasefire was outright rejected by Russia.
Joining this bipartisan sentiment are Democrats, including Senators Jeanne Shaheen, Jacky Rosen, and Chris Coons, alongside some of their independent counterparts. However, notable figures who typically support Trump, such as Committee Chairman Jim Risch and Ted Cruz, chose not to align with this statement.
Through the years, Trump has held sway over Republicans, but recent electoral losses and plummeting approval ratings have diminished his grip. It seems like a potential opening for Democrats to regain some seats in Congress during the upcoming midterms in 2026, especially as Trump risks finishing his term with considerably less influence.
These three senators aren’t under immediate electoral pressure; Tillis is set to retire in 2027, while Moran faces prochaine elections in 2028, and Barrasso in 2030.
There’s been persistent criticism directed at Trump for seemingly empowering Putin and turning cold on Ukraine and other allies. Recently, he suggested a peace plan for the conflict that mirrors many of Putin’s demands—including limitations on Ukraine’s military capabilities and potential territorial concessions.
Zelensky recently mentioned that there’s a plan roughly 90% completed but pointed out, “Russia is always looking for excuses not to engage meaningfully.”
<pin a notable interaction on social media, trump expressed frustration over ukraine, criticizing zelensky for alleged ungratefulness—a sentiment that recalls their tense encounters from earlier meetings. nonetheless, gratitude to trump, reaffirming intentions discuss vital security and territorial issues during upcoming chat.
Zelensky is determined to tackle essential points regarding security guarantees and potential discussions about territory when he meets Trump on Sunday. The feeling resonates that while there might be a framework for peace negotiations, real commitment remains a significant challenge due to Russia’s unpredictability.
