Senator Tillis Criticizes Trump's Russia Stance, Calls Putin 'A Fiddle Player'

Senator Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) has sharply criticized former President Donald Trump's approach to Russia, asserting that Russian President Vladimir Putin is exploiting Trump. Tillis made these remarks during an interview on CNN's "Erin Burnett OutFront," following a recent conversation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and a visit to Kyiv.

Tillis described witnessing the impact of Putin's orders in Ukraine, recounting accounts of atrocities and the destruction of educational facilities, with schools in Kyiv forced to operate in subway stations due to ongoing conflict.

"I saw what this murderer Vladimir Putin has ordered," Tillis stated. "I heard the stories about women being raped in front of their husbands and then their husbands assassinated. I went to schools that are meeting in subways ... because they can’t meet above ground."

Trump's recent actions, including easing sanctions on Russia, restricting Ukrainian access to battlefield technology, and calling for Zelenskyy's ouster, have drawn criticism from various political figures and experts.

"Russians are lying," Tillis declared. "Putin is lying. Putin is playing President Trump like a fiddle, and history is not going to look good on an America that failed to rise up and defend the Western world if Putin actually gets his way."

Trump, however, recently reiterated his less stringent view on Russia's actions in Ukraine, telling reporters that the aggressor "frankly, has been fine on Ukraine."

Tillis, who is not seeking reelection in November, is not the only Republican voicing concerns. Senator Rick Scott (R-Fla.) told The Associated Press last week, "I think it’s clear Russia is the aggressor, and we’ve got to do everything we can to put economic pressure on Russia."

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) also condemned Trump's policy, stating, "by giving the Russian economy life support, Trump’s deal with the devil keeps getting dirtier."