Washington — Rep. Dan Crenshaw, a Texas Republican, mentioned European leaders have to have a “a lot stronger message” towards Russian President Vladimir Putin on Ukraine amid efforts to kickstart peace talks and an eventual deal to finish the conflict.
“If we need to win, if we wish a greater end result for Ukraine, on the finish of those peace talks, you want to be uncomfortably aggressive,” Crenshaw mentioned of his message to European leaders on “Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan.”
Crenshaw, talking from the Munich Safety Convention, was amongst a bipartisan group of lawmakers who met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on the annual safety summit in current days. Additionally they heard from retired Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg, the U.S. particular envoy for Ukraine and Russia who’s concerned with dealing with the peace talks.
The Texas Republican mentioned Kellogg was “very clear that what the form of peace we’re speaking about is a long-lasting peace,” which he mentioned will contain safety assurances. Crenshaw mentioned precisely what that appears like remains to be being decided, whereas arguing that Europe have to be a significant participant.
Crenshaw mentioned European international locations have to not solely bolster their protection spending, but additionally discuss “the place you are going to be placing precise troops on the bottom.”
“Cease following our lead and really take the lead,” Crenshaw mentioned. “Allow us to be truly holding you again. That might be an excellent scenario, and vastly change the ability dynamic when coping with Putin.”
Crenshaw argued that if European leaders desire a seat on the desk, they need to “earn it.”
“We take heed to Zelenskyy,” Crenshaw mentioned. “And I need to take heed to different European leaders as effectively, however I would like them to be uncomfortably aggressive, as a result of that offers us extra leverage with the intention to assist Ukraine come out with a greater end result.”
The feedback come as Protection Secretary Pete Hegseth has drawn criticism even amongst some Republicans in current days for suggesting it was unrealistic for Ukraine to count on NATO membership. He additionally solid doubt that the nation will have the ability to return to its pre-2014 borders, earlier than Russia first invaded Ukraine and annexed Crimea. Hegseth later walked back these feedback, saying that “every little thing is on the desk.”
Sen. Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire, the rating Democrat on the Senate Overseas Relations Committee who also appeared on “Face the Nation” on Sunday, mentioned the administration is sending a “blended message” on Ukraine. She mentioned she’s hopeful that “the upshot of that’s that we’re going to do every little thing we will to help Ukraine.”
However Crenshaw defended the White Home’s posture towards the doable peace talks, saying “you must take heed to the White Home as a complete,” noting that the administration made clear that “nothing is off the desk.”
“You stroll right into a negotiation with every little thing on the desk. And I feel that is precisely what this White Home is doing,” Crenshaw mentioned, including that “there is a path ahead right here,” though the small print aren’t but clear.
Crenshaw acknowledged that the U.S. hasn’t but acquired a dedication to barter from Putin, reiterating his request of European leaders to get “uncomfortably aggressive” with the Russian chief, who he mentioned “solely responds to energy.”
