Summary
Republican lawmakers who have condemned Putin hesitate to criticize Trump’s recent pro-Russia stance.
Trump falsely blamed Ukraine for the war, called President Zelenskyy a “dictator,” and demanded Ukraine surrender rare earth minerals in exchange for U.S. aid.
While some GOP officials reaffirmed support for Ukraine, they avoided directly challenging Trump. Meanwhile, Trump’s administration negotiated a Russia-Ukraine peace deal without initially including Ukraine.
Zelenskyy rejected Trump’s minerals demand, warning of dangerous precedents.
“Zelensky is a ruthless dictator that started the war, but if he gives is rare minerals we will give him weapons”
I’m baffled Trump can make this kind of argument and nobody on his party A. Calls him out for saying Ukraine is a dictatorship that started the war B. Calls him out for gleefully announcing he will support a warring dictatorship for a price
Bunch of traitors.
Actually, no. It’s worse than that.
Trump isn’t asking for rare earth minerals in exchange for weapons. Trump is demanding the rare earth minerals as retroactive payment for weapons already received. If Zelensky signs over 50% of the mineral rights as payment for past aid, then maybe Trump would be willing to strike a deal for new weapons depending on what else Zelensky is willing to give up. Maybe.
Some R’s have spoken out:
https://uk.news.yahoo.com/putin-dictator-gop-balks-trump-212234635.html