Trump and GOP lawmakers call Putin “crazy” and push for secondary sanctions and arms aid to Ukraine amid war escalation.

Republicans Rally Behind Trump on Putin’s Escalation

Republican lawmakers are aligning with President Donald Trump’s recent remarks describing Russian President Vladimir Putin as “absolutely CRAZY,” adding their voices to growing calls for immediate sanctions and increased military aid to Ukraine.

Representative Joe Wilson, R-S.C., expressed unequivocal agreement with Trump’s assessment. “I agree with President Trump, war criminal Putin is crazy,” Wilson posted Monday on X. “The civilized world will not sit by for Putin’s imperial tantrum at the cost of more children’s lives. Secondary sanctions & arms support NOW.”

Trump, in a Sunday night post on Truth Social, wrote that Putin “has gone absolutely CRAZY!” and is “needlessly killing” many people. The president also criticized Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, saying, “Everything out of his mouth causes problems. I don’t like it, and it better stop.”

Despite his criticism of Zelenskyy, Trump has continued to position himself as an advocate for ending the war and reducing the human toll. His strong language about Putin appears to reflect a renewed urgency within the Republican Party to address Russian aggression more forcefully.

Calls for Sanctions Gain Bipartisan Momentum

Senator Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, added his voice Monday night, urging Trump to lead on sanctions. “I’ve had enuf of Putin killing innocent ppl. Pres Trump Take action AT LEAST SANCTIONS,” Grassley posted on X. He is an original cosponsor of a new bipartisan sanctions bill moving through the Senate, while Wilson cosponsors a corresponding measure in the House.

The bipartisan support underscores a unified congressional response, even amid differing views on Ukraine aid within the Republican Party. Lawmakers are coalescing around the need for “secondary sanctions” — penalties targeting third parties that help Russia evade existing sanctions — and expanded arms shipments to Ukraine.

Ukrainian President Zelenskyy echoed those calls in his own Monday statement, urging strong new sanctions from the U.S., Europe, and other pro-peace nations. “New and strong sanctions against Russia… will serve as a guaranteed means of forcing Russia not only to cease fire, but also to show respect,” he wrote on X.

The renewed push comes as Russia intensifies its military operations in eastern Ukraine, leading to growing bipartisan frustration in Washington. While internal disagreements remain over the extent of U.S. involvement, the convergence of support behind sanction measures signals a turning point in U.S. strategy.

With both legislative chambers mobilizing, and vocal support from Trump and key Republicans, momentum for new sanctions appears to be building swiftly. As the war drags on, the political and moral pressure on Washington to act — and to lead — is mounting.