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By Maya Mehrara
News Reporter
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Republican Senator Tommy Tuberville has said that President Donald Trump and Russian president Vladimir Putin will decide the future of Ukraine, whose President Volodymyr Zelensky he claimed was "not even in the game."
Newsweek reached out for comment to Tuberville's office via email and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine via email outside of business hours.
Why It Matters
Tuberville's comments to Newsmax echo Trump's claims that Zelensky is not being amenable to a peace deal and wants to continue the war, and the U.S. president's sidelining of the Ukrainian leader in peace negotiations.
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The Alabama senator has previously made comments about the Russia-Ukraine war that sparked backlash online, and his most recent statement comes amid growing tensions between Ukraine and the U.S.
What To Know
Speaking to Newsmax's Newsline on Monday, Tuberville said, "Zelensky for some reason wants to this war to keep going and he has been, I guess, brainwashed by the globalist socialist group in Europe and even some over here that [said], 'Hey, keep this thing going, we'll keep funneling money to you.' But they couldn't be more wrong.
"President Trump is tired of people dying, our American taxpayer dollars going over there, and so he'll try to get this finished. But Zelensky's going to play hardball, but you know what, he's not even in the game. It's going to be Putin and President Trump and the people on our side that will end up making this decision for the future of Ukraine."
Tuberville went on to reiterate Trump's claims that Europe has contributed little in funds to Ukraine's defense in comparison with the U.S. and said that Zelensky would be wrong to assume that the U.S. will continue to provide military aid.
His comments came as Trump suspended all military aid to Ukraine until he could determine if Kyiv is committed to peace following his meeting with Zelensky at the White House on February 28.
The Oval Office meeting last week ended in a fiery dispute as the two leaders discussed the possibility of a ceasefire and security guarantees for Kyiv. Trump at one point accused Zelensky of being "disrespectful" and he was asked to leave, to only return when he was "ready for peace."
In February 2022, Tuberville said that Russia would invade Ukraine because it is a communist country and Putin needed "more farmland" to feed his people.
The Republican senator has also previously said that Putin "doesn't want Ukraine" but just wanted to ensure that there are no "U.S. weapons in Ukraine pointed at Moscow."
Tuberville has also previously condemned the U.S.'s support of Ukraine and stated that it could risk escalating America's involvement in Russia's war.
What People Are Saying
Jimmy Rushton, a Kyiv-based foreign policy and security analyst, wrote on X, formerly Twitter: "As I have said multiple times, and as I will keep on saying for the benefit of dribbling simpletons like Tommy Tuberville; the United States simply does not have the power to force Ukraine to surrender to Putin."
President Zelensky wrote on X Monday: "We continue our work with partners. We have already had talks and other steps to come soon. It is very important that we try to make our diplomacy really substantive to end this war the soonest possible. We need real peace and Ukrainians want it most because the war ruins our cities and towns. We lose our people. We need to stop the war and to guarantee security. We are working together with America and our European partners and very much hope on US support on the path to peace. Peace is needed as soon as possible."
What Happens Next
It is unknown when Trump and Zelensky will meet again to discuss the war with Russia.
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