Several Republican senators, including Lisa Murkowski, Thom Tillis, and John Cornyn, have expressed disagreement with President Donald Trump’s characterization of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as a dictator. Trump’s assessment came following a meeting between U.S. and Russian officials to discuss terms to end Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which has been ongoing since 2022. Trump also falsely claimed that Ukraine started the war with Russia, which was refuted by Senator John Kennedy. Most Republicans, however, reiterated their interest in peace in Ukraine and supported Trump’s call for elections in the country, with Senators Lindsey Graham and Josh Hawley advocating for democratic processes to be upheld. Zelenskyy, who canceled an election set for spring 2024 due to the ongoing war, has garnered support from a majority of Ukrainians according to recent polls. Despite disagreements with Trump’s characterization of Zelenskyy, some senators, such as Eric Schmitt, expressed trust in the president’s ability to negotiate a lasting peace. Overall, Republican senators show a range of perspectives on the situation in Ukraine, with a focus on supporting the country’s sovereignty and working towards a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
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