Trump shredded by leading conservative for ‘giving aid and comfort’ to Putin as Republicans revolt over Ukraine

Andy McCarthy, a conservative commentator who split with Donald Trump after the January 6, 2021 Capitol attack, has accused the president of helping Vladimir Putin, and some Republican senators are voicing their own objections to the administration's Russia policy. In a National Review column, McCarthy argued that the latest concessions to Moscow ought to push lawmakers of both parties past their limit, according to The Independent.

McCarthy attacked the decision to waive sanctions on Russian diesel, calling it a deal that gained nothing from Putin on Ukraine and would barely dent diesel prices, which have climbed above $6.50 a gallon nationally. He also said the October 11 "energy ceasefire" was tilted against Kyiv, since the White House limited it to refineries, and Ukraine has none still running while Russia has dozens. He urged Congress to hold hearings with sworn testimony on a restriction affecting Ukraine's use of the Starshield satellite system, which Reuters traced to the White House and which preceded a Russian attack.

Senators John Cornyn, Susan Collins, Lisa Murkowski and Thom Tillis signed a bipartisan letter asking the Pentagon's inspector general, Platte Moring, to investigate. Tillis called the sanctions move "beyond irresponsible," and Lindsey Graham said he would keep pressure on Russia.

Summarized by PolitiKool from The Independent’s reporting. Read the full story at The Independent →