Sep 23, 2025 - Politics & Policy
Trump's stunning pivot on Ukraine thrills hawkish Republicans
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Senate Republican foreign policy hawks praised President Trump on Tuesday for posting that he believes Ukraine can "win" the war against Russia and take back all of its lost territory.
Why it maters: It's a notable shift from Trump on the conflict, but many traditional Republicans on the Hill have been pushing for it even as MAGA isolationist influences have grown.
Several key GOP congressional leaders on foreign policy were quick to back up the president's new confidence in Ukraine.
- "President Trump's strong speech and post today show why he's the peace-through-strength President," Senate Intelligence Chair Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) told Axios in a statement.
- Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) wrote on X that "Trump is correct in assessing that the Russian economy is under stress and this will only get worse if we make buying cheap Russian oil and gas toxic for those who choose that path." Graham has led the charge on a bipartisan Russia sanctions bill.
- Senate Armed Services Chair Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) posted: "President Trump and I believe Ukraine can win – a fact President Biden avoided saying for years. It is time to ramp up pressure on Putin to end this senseless bloodshed."
Between the lines: Congressional leaders have been waiting on the green light from the White House to move on a broadly bipartisan sanctions package.
- The bill would hit Russia with economic sanctions if Putin refuses to negotiate with Ukraine and would also set a 500% tariff on goods imported from countries that buy Russian oil.
- Trump has signaled that he will impose new sanctions on Russia only after NATO countries do so first and stop buying Russian oil. He also suggested European nations impose tariffs on China.
- A bipartisan group of senators have also been pushing a new bill that would label Russia a state sponsor of terrorism over kidnapped Ukrainian children.
