GOP Sen. Ron Johnson Says Vladimir Putin’s Arguments About Ukraine ‘Are Accurate’: ‘Putin Won’t Lose’

Right-wing Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wisconsin) defended his opposition to a bill to provide additional aid to Ukraine. Johnson seemed to agree with points Russian Presiden Vladimir Putin made in his controversial interview with former Fox News host Tucker Carlson.

In an appearance on Real America’s Voice, a conservative news network, Johnson emphasized, “Our policy should be focused on how do we bring Vladimir Putin to the table.” He expressed reservations about the effectiveness of certain sanctions and stated that they may inadvertently diminish the value of American currency as Russia explores alternative trading options. He said, “We’re cutting off our nose to spite our face with some of these sanctions.”

Johnson continued, “A lot of the points that Vladimir Putin made are accurate. They’re obvious, and so many of our people here in Washington, D.C., are just ignoring that, making people believe like Ukraine can win. Putin won’t lose. Putin will not lose. He’s not going to lose.”

In his interview with Carlson, Putin suggested that Poland started World War II and ranted against the U.S. with no fact-checking from Carlson. The interview marked the first time Putin engaged with Western media since the commencement of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

The aid package currently under consideration includes provisions for allocating $60 billion to support Ukraine’s military operations, $14 billion for Israel and U.S. military endeavors in the region, and over $8 billion to U.S. partners in the Indo-Pacific region, including Taiwan. Additionally, it earmarks nearly $10 billion for humanitarian efforts in Ukraine, Israel and Gaza.

Republicans have consistently argued that any further aid to Ukraine should be accompanied by increased funding for border security, given the escalating challenges at the southern border. But Republican senators, including Johnson, rejected a bipartisan deal to secure the border last week after former President Donald Trump came out against the measure.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-New York) hailed the bipartisan support demonstrated through the weekend votes and emphasized the critical nature of the foreign aid package. He stressed, “These are the enormously high stakes of the supplemental package: our security, our values, our democracy. It is a down payment for the survival of Western democracy and the survival of American values… The entire world is going to remember what the Senate does in the next few days. Nothing—nothing—would make Putin happier right now than to see Congress waver in its support for Ukraine; nothing would help him more on the battlefield.”

Johnson is known for his far-right views and support for the rioters who took part in the January 6, 2021, Capitol insurrection.