Putin Is a Thug”/ Senator Rick Scott to RFE/RL: Congress Must Hold Russia Accountable for the War in Ukraine

As Russia’s full-scale aggression against Ukraine continues, Washington is discussing how to maintain pressure on the Kremlin, particularly at a time when ties among Russia, China, Iran and North Korea are growing stronger.

Florida Republican Senator Rick Scott, who serves on several key committees and is one of the strongest voices in the U.S. Senate calling for increased pressure on Moscow, told Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty that, in his view, these developments should be seen as part of the same challenge.

Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty: Last week, you publicly backed and became a co-sponsor of the Sanctioning Russia Act of 2026, introduced by Senator Lindsey Graham. Do you think Congress should pass this legislation now, and that President Donald Trump will sign it?

Senator Rick Scott: Without a doubt. [Russian President Vladimir] Putin is a thug. What he has done to Ukrainians is disgusting, including killing women, children and grandmothers. We have an obligation to defend freedom.

The Ukrainians deserve tremendous admiration. Last week, I invited two Ukrainian commanders to Washington, and they explained their achievements in drone technology and how they are fighting the war. What they have done is truly commendable. If anyone supports Russia’s actions, they should face sanctions. That is beyond dispute.

Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty: You serve on several key committees and chair a subcommittee of the Senate Armed Services Committee. What is the main argument you make to your colleagues when discussing this bill?

Scott: I tell them that we are living through an extraordinarily dangerous period. Despicable people have seized power and resources in various parts of the world.

Just look at President Xi in China, Putin in Russia, the ayatollah [Mojtaba Khamenei] in Iran and Kim Jong Un [in North Korea]. In our own hemisphere, we have Raúl Castro [of Cuba] and, until January, [former President Nicolás] Maduro of Venezuela. These are people who seek to destroy our way of life. That is why we must act, support our friends and expect them to do more for their own defense as well. Everyone must understand that we are living in dangerous times.

We cannot call Russia a terrible state while simultaneously refusing to hold it accountable. That must be done. The same principle applies to communist China. We must stop buying all Chinese products because, while we worry about China, it is building up its military. Yet we are not doing enough to explain to American citizens that they need to stop buying its products.

In my view, the sanctions bill is a step toward holding Putin accountable. I want Ukraine to win and Russia to be defeated. The Ukrainians are on the right side of history, while the Russian government is on the wrong side.

Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty: Do you think your colleagues understand that Ukraine is a much stronger ally of the United States than many other countries in the region?

Scott: I believe Ukraine is a very good ally and has demonstrated that its citizens are willing to fight for freedom. What is striking about Ukrainians is their determination to keep fighting even under the most difficult conditions. We have the same admiration for Israelis, who are fighting for their freedom. They are willing to make sacrifices because they want their children and grandchildren to live in freedom. I think Ukrainian heroism is respected throughout the world.

To win the support of Americans, you have to tell them clearly who the good guys are and who the bad guys are. I think [Ukrainian President Volodymyr] Zelensky did that in the early stages. Perhaps after the first few months he could have communicated that message better, but Ukrainians are now demonstrating their capabilities.

Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty: Did Vladimir Putin miscalculate the determination of the United States to continue helping Ukraine?

Scott: Absolutely. I think Putin believed he could take advantage of Trump and the Europeans. He managed to take advantage of the Europeans. But he underestimated Trump’s commitment to freedom around the world.

Many people were surprised when President Trump committed to ensuring that Iran did not obtain nuclear weapons. They were also surprised by his effort to hold communist China accountable and by his confrontation with Maduro in Venezuela. The world has been surprised by Donald Trump’s willingness to defend freedom anywhere in the world.

Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty: You recently hosted Ukrainian drone unit commanders on Capitol Hill. RFE/RL was also the first to report that the United States and Ukraine had signed an initial agreement on drone cooperation, while a broader agreement remains under negotiation. Why is this partnership strategically important?

Scott: One important element is the Ukrainians’ creativity. They have built and developed increasingly advanced drone technology.

But even more impressive is the skill of their operators. With a very limited number of people, they have managed to destroy Iranian and Russian forces.

One Ukrainian commander told me that, with just 2,000 people, he had destroyed more than $15 billion worth of Russian military equipment. Another commander, using only a small portion of Ukraine’s military budget, has destroyed about 30 percent of the Russian military. They achieved this through a highly intelligent approach, autonomous weapons, top-level training and continuous improvement.

The drone operators communicate directly with the teams developing the technology. This enables them to make improvements every day. The achievements of the Ukrainian military are truly admirable.

Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty: Would you urge the U.S. administration to finalize the broader agreement as quickly as possible?

Scott: I have communicated with Defense Department officials and have also spoken with the president about the importance of cooperating with the Ukrainians. What they are achieving should be respected and appreciated.

I do not think many people believed Ukraine would continue to exist. An even more important development is that the Ukrainians have brought the war to Russian territory and to the Russian people.

For a long time, the Russians faced no consequences. Now, as a result of Ukrainian actions, the effects are being felt in the Russian economy and by Russian citizens themselves.

The fundamental difference is that the Ukrainians are not seeking to kill Russian civilians. They are targeting the Russian military, while Russia is trying to stop Ukraine by killing Ukrainian civilians.

Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty: Ukraine is also concerned about the pace of production of Patriot air-defense systems. President Trump has suggested that he may be willing to grant Ukraine a production license, although the signals have been mixed. What information do you have?

Scott: From my conversations with the White House, I understand that they are fully committed to Ukraine. I am very confident that they will provide Ukraine with the weapons it needs, when it needs them.

Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty: You mentioned Iran, North Korea, Russia and China. Do you think these four states are connected?

Scott: Yes, without a doubt. Their cooperation is evident. They hate our way of life, capitalism and the Judeo-Christian tradition. They seek to destroy us and control the world. To achieve that, they will continue working together, as they have done so far. We must understand that our freedom, and our allies who believe in freedom, face a serious threat.

Putin does not believe in individual freedom. Xi, the ayatollah, Maduro, Raúl Castro and Kim Jong Un feel the same way. They will continue cooperating to destroy our way of life.

Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty: Would defeating Russia in Ukraine be the first major step toward containing this broader authoritarian alliance?

Scott: I think the Ukrainians have demonstrated that corrupt dictatorships fail and that freedom ultimately prevails.