On Wednesday, Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) vouched for giving President Donald Trump “some space” to negotiate an end to the Ukraine-Russia war despite his scathing rhetoric about Ukraine.

Trump has blamed Ukraine for the ongoing conflict and called Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who has complained of not being included in peace talks with Moscow and suggested Trump falling for Russian disinformation, a “dictator without elections.” During a press briefing at the U.S. Capitol, a reporter asked Thune if he was concerned about Trump’s comments given the majority leader’s record of supporting Ukraine and Russia calling into question Zelensky’s legitimacy.

“I think what I’m in support of is a peaceful outcome and result in Ukraine,” Thune said in response. “And I think right now the administration, the president, and his team are working to achieve that. And I think right now you got to give them some space, honestly. This is something — this war has ground on now for three years. There’s been a lot of cost, a lot of death, a lot of injury associated with it and I think it’s in everybody’s best interest — Ukraine, Russia, Europe, the United States — if they can bring about a peaceful conclusion to the war. And so that’s what this is about right now, and I think most of us want to support their efforts as they move in that direction hopefully to a successful outcome.”

Another journalist then asked Thune if he would call Zelensky a “dictator” as Trump did in a post to Truth Social, to which the Senate majority leader replied: “Well, like I said, the president speaks for himself. What I want to see is a peaceful result — a peaceful outcome. And I think right now there’s a negotiation going on and let’s see where that ultimately leads. Hopefully, it’ll get to the outcome we all want to see.”

Secretary of State Marco Rubio provided an update on talks between the United States and Russia taking place in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday.

“Took an important step forward today to establish enduring peace between Russia and Ukraine,” Rubio said in a post to X, along with photos of the meeting. “We are using our global strength to unite countries. The United States wants peace. We want the killing to stop. Thanks to Saudi Arabia and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for hosting.”

Rubio added that the United States and Russia so far agreed to: “establish a consultation mechanism to address irritants,” “appoint high-level teams to end the conflict in Ukraine sustainably,” and “lay groundwork for future cooperation and economic opportunities post-conflict.”

Instead of focusing on any progress negotiators might be making in ending the Russia-Ukraine war, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) criticized Trump on X over the president’s remarks on Ukraine.

“Trump’s comments about the war in Ukraine sounded straight from a Russian propaganda playbook,” he said. “It’s disgusting. The Ukrainian people did not start this war. Vladimir Putin did. The staggering suffering and destruction they have endured is all because of Vladimir Putin.”

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On Wednesday, Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) vouched for giving President Donald Trump “some space” to negotiate an end to the Ukraine-Russia war despite his scathing rhetoric about Ukraine.

Trump has blamed Ukraine for the ongoing conflict and called Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who has complained of not being included in peace talks with Moscow and suggested Trump falling for Russian disinformation, a “dictator without elections.” During a press briefing at the U.S. Capitol, a reporter asked Thune if he was concerned about Trump’s comments given the majority leader’s record of supporting Ukraine and Russia calling into question Zelensky’s legitimacy.

“I think what I’m in support of is a peaceful outcome and result in Ukraine,” Thune said in response. “And I think right now the administration, the president, and his team are working to achieve that. And I think right now you got to give them some space, honestly. This is something — this war has ground on now for three years. There’s been a lot of cost, a lot of death, a lot of injury associated with it and I think it’s in everybody’s best interest — Ukraine, Russia, Europe, the United States — if they can bring about a peaceful conclusion to the war. And so that’s what this is about right now, and I think most of us want to support their efforts as they move in that direction hopefully to a successful outcome.”

Another journalist then asked Thune if he would call Zelensky a “dictator” as Trump did in a post to Truth Social, to which the Senate majority leader replied: “Well, like I said, the president speaks for himself. What I want to see is a peaceful result — a peaceful outcome. And I think right now there’s a negotiation going on and let’s see where that ultimately leads. Hopefully, it’ll get to the outcome we all want to see.”

Secretary of State Marco Rubio provided an update on talks between the United States and Russia taking place in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday.

“Took an important step forward today to establish enduring peace between Russia and Ukraine,” Rubio said in a post to X, along with photos of the meeting. “We are using our global strength to unite countries. The United States wants peace. We want the killing to stop. Thanks to Saudi Arabia and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for hosting.”

Rubio added that the United States and Russia so far agreed to: “establish a consultation mechanism to address irritants,” “appoint high-level teams to end the conflict in Ukraine sustainably,” and “lay groundwork for future cooperation and economic opportunities post-conflict.”

Instead of focusing on any progress negotiators might be making in ending the Russia-Ukraine war, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) criticized Trump on X over the president’s remarks on Ukraine.

“Trump’s comments about the war in Ukraine sounded straight from a Russian propaganda playbook,” he said. “It’s disgusting. The Ukrainian people did not start this war. Vladimir Putin did. The staggering suffering and destruction they have endured is all because of Vladimir Putin.”

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