Senate Republican hawks cheer Trump's slams on Putin

• "I'm very happy that President Trump has recognized that Putin was giving him the Heisman," Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) told Axios.
• Trump "is spot on about the games Putin is playing," Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) posted on X, adding, "The Senate will move soon on a tough sanctions bill."

During a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday, Trump lamented that Putin's warm words are ultimately "meaningless," saying, "We get a lot of bullsh*t thrown at us by Putin."

• Asked about who made the initial decision to briefly pause weapons shipments to Ukraine last week, Trump said, "I don't know. Why don't you tell me?"

That pause sparked grave concerns among GOP hawks.

• "The self-indulgent policymaking of restrainers — from Ukraine to AUKUS — has so often required the President to clean up his staff's messes," Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) said in a withering statement on Tuesday.
• He urged Trump to "reject calls from the isolationists and restrainers within his Administration to limit these deliveries to defensive weapons."

What's next: Graham told reporters on Tuesday he feels confident Trump is on board after some changes have been made to the lawmaker's Russia sanctions bill — including a 180-day waiver. After that, any next waiver would be subject to congressional approval.

• Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) remains noncommittal on the vote timing for Graham's bill, telling reporters on Tuesday an announcement could come this week.
• The bill would not only hit Russia with economic sanctions if Putin refuses to negotiate with Ukraine, but it also sets a 500% tariff on goods imported from countries that buy Russian oil.
• It has 85 cosponsors.