
Republican Sen. Ron Johnson spoke out against sending more aid to Ukraine in response to the ongoing invasion by Russian President Vladimir Putin. Johnson argued that Putin's victory in the conflict was inevitable, leading to a growing acceptance of Russian expansionism within the Republican Party.
The softening stance on Russia can be traced back to the aftermath of Trump's 2016 election victory, amid Russian interference. Putin has presented himself as a defender of conservative Christian values, aligning with some GOP values. Additionally, Trump's favorable stance towards Putin has influenced the party's position on Russia.