Mitch McConnell: Republicans who support Putin ‘lonely voices’ in party

The Senate minority leader, Mitch McConnell, during a TV news interview following a national security briefing on Ukraine, at the Capitol, on 16 March. Photograph: J Scott Applewhite/AP

Republicans who support Vladimir Putin over the Russian invasion of Ukraine are “lonely voices” in the party, Mitch McConnell said.

But the Senate minority leader dodged an invitation to say such Republicans should be ejected from the party or at least face disciplinary measures.