House Republicans Brian Fitzpatrick (Rep-R Pennsylvania) and Don Bacon (Rep-R Nebraska) say they will block Trump's agenda unless he changes course on Ukraine.
Donald Trump spoke as he left the White House on Monday, Oct. 19. He said Russia "has been fine on Ukraine. They haven't been doing much." He also said it's "time for somebody else to negotiate on behalf of Ukraine." That was aimed at Volodymyr Zelensky (President, Ukraine), who has led Ukraine's side of the talks.
Trump's case. "We've given a lot to Ukraine. They've given nothing to us," he said. Defending his deals with Russia, he said: "I'm trying to get a hostage."
Zelensky's answer. He accused Trump of pressuring Kyiv to surrender to Russia. He is running a public pressure campaign through allies in Congress.
Congress. Michael McCaul (Rep-R Texas), who is leaving Congress, said by text that Zelensky has been warned that lashing out at Trump "will not end well." Fitzpatrick and Bacon went the other way. Bacon, who also retires at the end of this term, says the threat covers the lame-duck session after the Nov. 3 election, per The Hill.
Still open. Neither lawmaker has named a bill or a vote he would withhold.
Catch up
- Oct. 9 — At talks in Miami, envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner asked Kyiv to stop striking Russian refineries, a demand U.S. negotiators had reportedly made six times in recent months, per RBC-Ukraine.
- Oct. 10 — After Trump suggested Ukraine needs a new leader, Fitzpatrick unveiled a bill, co-sponsored by Bacon, to stop him lifting Russia sanctions.
- Oct. 11 — Trump announced a refinery-only energy ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine; Moscow never confirmed it.
- Oct. 14 — Bacon wrote that Trump's agenda "is dead unless they change paths" on Ukraine.
- Oct. 15 — Trump called Ukraine's resumed refinery strikes, which ended a three-day pause, a "disgrace," and called Zelensky "not a good guy."
- Oct. 17 — Zelensky offered to negotiate "anywhere" and floated a U.S.–Russia–Ukraine meeting at the G20; neither Washington nor Moscow confirmed.
- Oct. 18 — Ukrainian drones hit the Petersburg Oil Terminal in St. Petersburg; Zelensky held a 40-minute call with Witkoff and Kushner about meeting in person.
5 earlier issues
- UpdateTrump says Ukraine needs "a new president" and tells Zelensky to stop striking Russian oil refineries
- UpdateTrump says Russia and Ukraine agreed to an immediate energy ceasefire; Moscow has not confirmed it
- UpdateUkraine strikes a Russian refinery, ending the three-day energy-strike pause Trump demanded
- UpdateEU leaders say they 'regret' Trump's lifting of Russian diesel sanctions; Trump calls Zelensky 'not a good guy'
- UpdateZelensky says Ukraine will negotiate 'anywhere' and seeks a U.S.–Russia–Ukraine meeting at the G20