Sen. John Kennedy criticizes the Trump administration’s approach to Putin amid latest peace talks

The Louisiana Republican also said his party should do something about inflation ahead of the midterm elections but that it’s “not likely.”

Sen. John Kennedy, R-La., criticized Republican leadership on a number of issues including the Trump administration’s handling of the Ukraine peace process and Senate leaders’ response to inflation woes.

Kennedy told NBC News’ “Meet the Press” on Sunday he believes the Trump administration should take a different approach to Russian President Vladimir Putin.

“This guy’s a pirate. He’s got blood under his fingernails. He doesn’t care about a bunch of pretty talk,” Kennedy said Sunday, as U.S. envoys meet with leaders on both sides of the conflict. “You don’t get any credit for kissing his ass. You’ve got to show him you mean business.”

Last week, the House failed to pass a Russian sanctions bill that the Senate approved in August.

“We should have passed that Russian sanctions bill, and we’ve got another chance to do it,” the Louisiana senator said. “Then we ought to help Ukraine and help Europe. They’re doing OK on their own, but we can provide them intelligence.”