Tensions between Russia and Ukraine escalated again after Russian President Vladimir Putin recognized the independence of two pro-Russia separatist regions in Ukraine—Donetsk and Luhansk—and proceeded to deploy Russian troops there. Almost simultaneously, Russia's senior parliament authorized Putin to use military force outside of Russia, further signaling that an invasion of Ukraine is imminent, as President Joe Biden said this past weekend.
The Biden administration, along with allies in Europe, has responded with sanctions, while German Chancellor Olaf Scholz halted authorization of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline between Russia and Germany.
Amid the escalating tensions, far-right Senator Ted Cruz of Texas claimed that Biden was too weak on Putin.
Watch below.
Joe Biden becoming president is the best thing to happen to Vladimir Putin. pic.twitter.com/jAIK6qDH69
— Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) February 20, 2022
Cruz said in a Fox News interview:
"Joe Biden becoming President is the best thing that ever happened, tragically, for Vladimir Putin."
How quickly Cruz forgets.
It's long been established that Russia launched a campaign in 2016 with the goal of establishing Trump as President. They did the same in 2020, when Trump ran against Biden. Putin himself authorized efforts to damage Biden's candidacy.
What's more, as President, Trump frequently sided with Russia while weakening Ukraine. Trump infamously defended Putin over U.S. intelligence officials during a press conference in Helsinki, when Trump said he believed Putin's lie that Russia did not interfere in 2016.
Trump withheld crucial, congressionally approved aid to Ukraine in a phone call with its President, Volodymyr Zelensky, while urging Zelensky to open an investigation into the Biden family. It was a call that led to Trump's first impeachment.
These events were running in people's minds when Cruz made the claim that Biden was the best thing to ever happen to Putin.
he doesn't honestly believe any of this but it has me wondering what it's like to be the conservative that thinks the Ukraine situation would be better with the guy who alienated all of our allies in charge https://t.co/RPbaZ2yL5b
— matt duffy (@iammattduff) February 20, 2022
Ted's just a Twitter Troll at this point.
TFG supported Putin at every turn, protected him in investigations, gave him classified intel, & tried to extort Ukraine into making up a fake Hunter Biden story.
Thankfully we now have a real President that stands up to Putin. https://t.co/KyghrOvOIp
— Todd Murray ™️ (@ToddMurrayTM) February 20, 2022
This blowhard has a short memory. Hey Ted, remember that time in Helsinki when Trump defended Putin over the 100% consensus of 17 U.S. Intelligence agencies that Russia interfered in the 2016 election? https://t.co/6JLbw2CFRH
— Jeff (@ZBlime) February 20, 2022
@tedcruz Helsinki https://t.co/tqg8d2Ltio pic.twitter.com/Vyu0ZYWIms
— Suki (@suekhi) February 20, 2022
Right. https://t.co/oBXmymboQw pic.twitter.com/oyxfwMWvSI
— Mere Smith (@EvilGalProds) February 20, 2022
They seemed to know who Cruz was trying to impress.
If you look closely you can see Trump’s hand guiding the strings. https://t.co/yCrlApjITS
— Randy (@RandyBack4More) February 20, 2022
Good Lord, @tedcruz. You're sucking up to Putin, and hasn't even called your wife ugly yet. https://t.co/YawIDJ3j8x
— Matt Angle (@LSPmatt) February 21, 2022
What happens when you bathe in the FlavorAid every morning. https://t.co/bZbErbaysa
— Charles P. Pierce (@CharlesPPierce) February 20, 2022
“Pick me! 👋” https://t.co/7GjbyVZVGp
— Dennis Herring (@dcherring) February 20, 2022
Yikes.
