Grassley cautions Trump that Putin is ‘playing America as a patsy’
The senior senator from Iowa has emerged as a prominent voice among congressional Republicans condemning Russian aggression in Ukraine.
TroibNews 
Sen. Chuck Grassley cautioned President Donald Trump that Russia was “playing America" on Friday, urging him to take action against the country for its attacks on Ukraine amidst ongoing ceasefire negotiations.
Following a deadly strike in Kyiv on Thursday, Russian President Vladimir Putin received rare criticism from Trump, who is intensifying pressure on both Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to endorse U.S.-led proposals for a peace agreement. Grassley, a staunch advocate for Ukraine, has emerged as one of the most vocal Republicans condemning Russian aggression toward Ukraine.
“IVE SEEN ENOUGH KILLING OF INNOCENT UKRAINIAN women + children,” Grassley posted on X on Friday.
Grassley urged Trump to impose sanctions on Russia—measures Trump has previously signaled he would consider if Russia did not engage in negotiations over the conflict—and stated that Russia is “playing America as a patsy.”
Trump has expressed a desire to finalize a deal before marking 100 days in office next week, stating that efforts toward a peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine “is going smoothly” in a post on Truth Social Friday. He also pressed Zelenskyy to “immediately” agree to a minerals deal that would allow the U.S. access to Ukraine’s “rare earths.”
While demanding that Putin cease attacks on Kyiv, Trump’s main criticism this week has been directed at Zelenskyy. Since taking office, Trump has repeatedly criticized Zelenskyy for not doing enough to end the war initiated by Russia, referring to him as a “dictator without elections” and having berated him in the Oval Office alongside Vice President JD Vance.
Grassley has previously diverged from Trump, contesting Trump’s critiques of Zelenskyy in February and instead holding Putin accountable as a dictator responsible for prolonging the war.
This week, Trump voiced his frustrations with Zelenskyy on social media, particularly over Ukraine’s resistance to the U.S.-led peace proposal, which is believed to involve territorial concessions. Trump remarked to TIME Magazine that Russian-occupied Crimea “will stay with Russia” and claimed that “Zelenskyy understands that.”
Zelenskyy has maintained that he will uphold the Ukrainian constitution, asserting that recognizing an annexed Crimea would be unacceptable.
“I thought it might be easier to deal with Zelenskyy,” Trump told reporters during an Oval Office press conference on Wednesday. “So far, it’s been harder.”
On Thursday, Trump informed reporters that his administration is “putting a lot of pressure” on Russia. Additionally, U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff had another meeting with Putin on Friday.
James del Carmen for TROIB News
Following a deadly strike in Kyiv on Thursday, Russian President Vladimir Putin received rare criticism from Trump, who is intensifying pressure on both Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to endorse U.S.-led proposals for a peace agreement. Grassley, a staunch advocate for Ukraine, has emerged as one of the most vocal Republicans condemning Russian aggression toward Ukraine.
“IVE SEEN ENOUGH KILLING OF INNOCENT UKRAINIAN women + children,” Grassley posted on X on Friday.
Grassley urged Trump to impose sanctions on Russia—measures Trump has previously signaled he would consider if Russia did not engage in negotiations over the conflict—and stated that Russia is “playing America as a patsy.”
Trump has expressed a desire to finalize a deal before marking 100 days in office next week, stating that efforts toward a peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine “is going smoothly” in a post on Truth Social Friday. He also pressed Zelenskyy to “immediately” agree to a minerals deal that would allow the U.S. access to Ukraine’s “rare earths.”
While demanding that Putin cease attacks on Kyiv, Trump’s main criticism this week has been directed at Zelenskyy. Since taking office, Trump has repeatedly criticized Zelenskyy for not doing enough to end the war initiated by Russia, referring to him as a “dictator without elections” and having berated him in the Oval Office alongside Vice President JD Vance.
Grassley has previously diverged from Trump, contesting Trump’s critiques of Zelenskyy in February and instead holding Putin accountable as a dictator responsible for prolonging the war.
This week, Trump voiced his frustrations with Zelenskyy on social media, particularly over Ukraine’s resistance to the U.S.-led peace proposal, which is believed to involve territorial concessions. Trump remarked to TIME Magazine that Russian-occupied Crimea “will stay with Russia” and claimed that “Zelenskyy understands that.”
Zelenskyy has maintained that he will uphold the Ukrainian constitution, asserting that recognizing an annexed Crimea would be unacceptable.
“I thought it might be easier to deal with Zelenskyy,” Trump told reporters during an Oval Office press conference on Wednesday. “So far, it’s been harder.”
On Thursday, Trump informed reporters that his administration is “putting a lot of pressure” on Russia. Additionally, U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff had another meeting with Putin on Friday.
James del Carmen for TROIB News
