House Republican scolds Trump's "velvet gloves" approach with Putin [View all]

Source: Axios

7 hours ago


Rep. Don Bacon (R-Neb.) on Monday urged President Trump to abandon his "velvet gloves" approach with Russian President Vladimir Putin and re-commit to countering the Kremlin's aggression in Ukraine.

Why it matters: A retired Air Force brigadier general, Bacon has in recent weeks raised alarms over Trump's softening approach to Russia and his public spat with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky amid the White House's attempt to broker a ceasefire between the countries.

The White House did not immediately respond to Axios' request for comment.

Driving the news: "In recent weeks, too many of my fellow Republicans — including Mr. Trump — have treated Russia with velvet gloves, shying away from calling out Mr. Putin's flatly illegal war and even blaming Ukraine for starting it," Bacon wrote in a New York Times essay.

Trump last month, in a series of jabs at Zelensky, falsely suggested Ukraine started the bloody war.

It is the U.S.'s "moral obligation" to continue to send aid to embattled Kyiv "until Russia commits to fair and just peace negotiations," Bacon wrote.

He added, "That means including Ukraine in the conversation."

Between the lines: Bacon argued that supporting Ukraine is in America's national interest, saying the "future cost of abandoning Ukraine would vastly outweigh the investment we have made in rejecting Russia's aggression."

A victory for Putin would "quickly and predictably" expand Russia's aggression beyond Ukraine, he wrote.

"Failing to stand up to bullies only leads to larger and costlier conflicts," Bacon said.

Read more: https://www.axios.com/2025/03/31/trump-putin-russia-ukraine-war-don-bacon