WASHINGTON (April 4, 2025) – WASHINGTON – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) argued that Russian President Vladimir Putin has not been taking peace negotiations with Ukraine seriously and warned him not to disrespect President Trump in a speech on the U.S. Senate floor.
Key excerpts of the speech are below:
“To get respect, you have to act respectfully. To be taken seriously, you have to act seriously. We know that. It is a matter of common sense. President Putin in Russia is not acting with respect toward the United States of America or President Trump. President Putin is not acting seriously.
“I don’t know a single fair-minded person with an IQ above his age who doesn’t want peace in Ukraine. . . . We all want to see peace in Ukraine. President Zelenskyy wants to see peace in Ukraine. President Trump wants to see peace in Ukraine. I thought President Putin did. I am beginning to wonder.”
. . .
“[President Putin] said, ‘I want China to be part of the negotiations and India and Brazil and South Africa’—and get this; this will curdle your lunch—‘North Korea.’ Mama Gump said that stupid is as stupid does. President Putin is not interested in peace.”
Watch Kennedy’s speech here.
