Sen. John Kennedy, R-La., has publicly criticized the Trump administration’s handling of the Ukraine peace process and called for a more assertive approach toward Russian President Vladimir Putin during recent diplomatic engagements.
Kennedy, speaking on NBC News’ “Meet the Press” on Sunday, argued that the U.S. should adopt a firmer stance in negotiations with Putin, describing him as a leader who responds only to strength. He stated, “This guy’s a pirate. He’s got blood under his fingernails. He doesn’t care about a bunch of pretty talk… You’ve got to show him you mean business.”
The senator’s remarks coincide with meetings between U.S. envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff and leaders in Russia and Ukraine over the weekend. Kushner and Witkoff met separately with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv, as part of ongoing efforts to address the conflict in Ukraine.
Kennedy also reiterated his support for a Russian sanctions bill that the Senate approved in August but which the House failed to pass last week. “We should have passed that Russian sanctions bill, and we’ve got another chance to do it,” he said. “Then we ought to help Ukraine and help Europe… We can provide them intelligence.”
On domestic policy, Kennedy criticized Republican leadership’s response to inflation, stating that high prices are “gutting the middle class like a fish.” He expressed uncertainty about the outcome of the upcoming midterm elections, noting that voters remain frustrated over economic concerns and the ongoing military conflict with Iran. Kennedy added that he does not expect the war with Iran to conclude before the elections.
The senator’s comments reflect ongoing Republican divisions over the Trump administration’s foreign policy strategies, particularly regarding Russia and Ukraine. While some lawmakers advocate for stricter measures against Moscow, others have emphasized the need for diplomatic engagement.