House Republican scolds Trump's "velvet gloves" approach with Putin

• 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.

The big picture: Moscow has welcomed Washington's shifting posture.

• On the global stage, the U.S. voted with Russia and other mostly authoritarian nations in opposing a UN resolution condemning Russia's invasion of Ukraine, a sign of the growing rift between the U.S. and its NATO allies.

Yes, but: Trump's patience with Putin's reluctance over the ceasefire may be wearing thin.

• The president told NBC's Kristen Welker in a weekend phone call that he was "angry" and "pissed" at Putin over his public criticisms of Zelensky, who Trump previously called a "dictator."

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