Republican Congress members have historically criticized Russia and supported Ukraine against its aggression. However, with Trump’s warming relations with Putin, some Republicans have softened their stance. Trump recently proposed Ukraine trade away mineral resources for U.S. support, which Ukraine’s President Zelensky rejected. Notable senators like Graham and Thune have shifted from strong support for Ukraine to advocating for negotiations, often sidelining Ukraine in discussions. While previously condemning Putin’s regime, they now express openness to deals and assert the need for a resolution. This reflects a significant change in the G.O.P.’s approach to U.S. involvement in Ukraine.
Republican lawmakers have consistently been among the most vocal critics of Russia and its leader, Vladimir V. Putin, aligning with their party’s longstanding aggressive stance on the U.S.’s responsibility to champion freedom and democracy worldwide. This has historically led to robust support within the G.O.P. for providing assistance to Ukraine in its struggle against Russian aggression.
Recently, however, with President Trump warming up to Mr. Putin and striving to ease relations with Russia, many Republicans who previously committed to supporting Ukraine’s sovereignty have chosen to remain quiet or softened their rhetoric. President Trump has suggested that Ukraine should relinquish a 50 percent stake in its mineral resources, a proposition firmly rejected by its president, Volodymyr Zelensky, last week.
On Wednesday, as U.S. and Russian officials engaged in their most comprehensive talks in years—aiming to negotiate a peace deal without Ukraine’s involvement and exploring opportunities for American oil companies to invest hundreds of billions in Russia—several Republican senators dismissed the discussions as preliminary.
Here’s a summary of their statements, then and now.
Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina
What he said: “If you’re concerned about being too confrontational with Russia, stop worrying. You are not too confrontational — we need to enhance our approach regarding Russia.”
Mr. Graham made these comments last June while putting forth a bipartisan resolution to classify Russia as a state sponsor of terrorism—a label presently assigned to North Korea, Syria, Cuba, and Iran.
He has frequently labeled Mr. Putin a “thug,” and has drawn comparisons to Hitler in the past. Mr. Graham has even gone so far as to call for the assassination of the Russian leader: “Vladimir Putin is not a legitimate leader; he is a war criminal that needs to be dealt with.”
What he is saying now: Last week at the Munich Security Conference, Mr. Graham commended Mr. Trump as a strong leader capable of “securing a favorable deal for Ukraine.”
He also expressed support for a deal proposed by Mr. Trump that would give the United States a 50 percent stake in all of Ukraine’s mineral resources in return for American aid — an offer that Mr. Zelensky has turned down.
“I don’t mind if they meet Putin in Cleveland,” he remarked regarding the Trump administration. “I don’t care if they converse or even take a vacation. What matters to me is that you get it right.”
Senator John Thune of South Dakota
What he said: “America cannot withdraw from the global stage. There has never been a time in recent history when American leadership is more urgently needed, and we must ensure that Ukraine has the weaponry and resources it requires to overcome the Russians.”
Last March, Mr. Thune advocated for the passage of a Ukraine aid bill, emphasizing that if the United States did not equip Ukraine, Russia would secure a victory and potentially “invade a NATO country,” sparking a conflict that could lead to American troop involvement.
“We’re going to be sending American sons and daughters,” he remarked during an interview on PBS News Hour.
What he is saying now: This week, Mr. Thune, now the majority leader, told reporters that the conflict has “dragged on” and that the United States must “bring an end to the war.”
Regarding Ukraine, he stated, “at some point, they’ve got to be part of that conversation.”
“This conflict has persisted for three years now. We need to conclude the war, and eventually, they should be included in that dialogue. I hope they will find a path forward that ends the war, maintains a sovereign Ukraine, and prevents further Russian encroachments in that region, the world, and Europe.”
Senator Jim Risch of Idaho
What he said: “If Putin succeeds in Ukraine, he will not stop there. If we find ourselves at war with Russia, what we are spending here is minuscule by comparison. I confront this situation daily, and it weighs on my mind constantly.”
Mr. Risch, the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, has referred to the Russian invasion of Ukraine as a “challenge” for the United States and contended that the nation should “deny Russia a victory.” Ahead of a vote on an aid package for Ukraine in 2023, Mr. Risch strongly defended funding aid and military support for the country.
He has also criticized President Joseph R. Biden Jr. for failing to effectively communicate the necessity of supporting Ukraine.
What he is saying now: Mr. Risch has characterized the peace negotiations as “a work in progress” and expressed his willingness to give the Trump administration “space” to figure out how to negotiate.
“But clearly, the Ukrainians must be involved — and the Europeans as well.”
Senator Joni Ernst of Iowa
What she has said: “The United States, Ukraine, and the free world possess the will and the means to halt Vladimir Putin’s tyranny.”
Ms. Ernst delivered these remarks on the Senate floor in 2022 after participating in a bipartisan delegation to Europe less than a month following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, declaring that Mr. Putin’s “best days are behind him.”
She criticized the Biden administration for its early inaction during the war, suggesting it was an attempt to appease Mr. Putin.
“Allowing an adversary to dictate military engagement rules and permitting an aggressor to set the parameters of our response isn’t just unwise — it’s perilous. The administration operated under the hope that Putin would be reasonable.”
Ms. Ernst further emphasized that the nation’s “unwavering commitment to allies and partners ensures American prosperity and the safety of our families.”
What she is saying now: Ms. Ernst told reporters on Tuesday that she was pleased to see Russia participating in the negotiations and downplayed any worries regarding Ukraine’s absence from the talks. “I’m a huge supporter of Ukraine, but this is just the initial phase.”
Senator Tom Cotton of Arkansas
What he has said: “It’s not only Vladimir Putin and Europe that are observing; the entire world is watching, particularly Xi Jinping, who is closely following the situation in Ukraine,” Mr. Cotton stated in March 2022 on Fox News Radio, referring to China’s leader.
He warned that the United States would appear weak to Mr. Xi if it failed to confront Russia. “If he witnesses the United States and the West wavering and urging Ukraine to secure peace while Russian forces remain on Ukrainian territory, he is significantly more likely to advance his ambitions in Taiwan.”
In a CNN interview during the 2024 presidential campaign, Mr. Cotton dismissed concerns that Mr. Trump would not uphold support for Ukraine in its fight against Russia.
“President Trump has consistently supported Ukraine,” Mr. Cotton stated, commending Mr. Trump for providing military aid during his first term.
What he is saying now: On Tuesday, while promoting a new book on China on “Fox & Friends,” Mr. Cotton advocated for “thinking outside the box” in order to negotiate a truce and echoed Mr. Graham’s support for a deal concerning Ukraine’s mineral resources.
Later that day on CNN, he defended the Trump administration for establishing “diplomatic channels” with Russia and accused Mr. Biden of “enticing” Russia to invade.