U.S. Republican Congressman Madison Cawthorn yesterday called Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky a “gangster” while saying his government is “corrupt and very evil” promoting “sick ideologies,” in a video recorded speech.
The North Carolina congressman’s comments contradict those of global leaders but also of most Republicans in the US.
In comments that seem to be discussing whether the US should send aid and military troops to the conflict, the congressman says, among other things, “we must not forget that Zelensky is a rogue”, in the video published by the American network WRAL.
Cawthorn criticized leaders in Kiev who refuse to leave the country even though most are on the list of people to be eliminated from the Russian military, including Zelensky and his family.
“We must not forget that the Ukrainian government is very corrupt and evil, or that it promotes sick ideologies,” he said.
According to the network CNNCawthorn made his comments with a group of supporters last weekend that went to Asheville, North Carolina.
DailyMail.com tried to get comments from Cawthorn’s office for comments.
Shortly after the video was released, the congressman condemned the Russian occupation of Ukraine but continued with accusations of false news by the Zelensky government with the aim of involving the US and other countries in the conflict.
“The actions of Putin and Russia are despicable, but leaders like Zelensky should not spread misinformation about America,” Cawthorn said.
“I pray for the people of Ukraine and I pray that we do not become embroiled in conflict based on misinformation by foreign leaders,” he added.
Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham distanced herself from Cwthorn comments during a news conference yesterday.
“Like 90 percent of the country we are with Ukraine and such comments from a member of Congress show that they come from outside cohesion.”
The comments of the 26-year-old congressman who moves in a wheelchair come shortly after the approval of a package of about 14 billion dollars for humanitarian aid to Ukraine as part of an even wider package of aid from the US.
Cawthorn is one of 15 Republican congressmen who voted against banning Russian energy imports, as did two Democrats, Cori Bush of Missouri and Ilhan Omar of Minnesota. / Daily Mail /
top channel
