Tillis says Putin is using Trump to shift U.S. support for Ukraine, calls ‘de-Nazify’ claim false

Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) said in remarks on Oct. 20 that he believes Russian President Vladimir Putin is “playing President Trump like a fiddle” by attempting to alter the level and direction of U.S. support for Ukraine. Tillis’ comments were framed around what he described as Putin’s strategy to take advantage of U.S. political decisions affecting the war in Ukraine, according to The Hill.

Tillis said Putin’s argument for the invasion of Ukraine, including Putin’s claim that Russia entered the country to “de-Nazify” it, is a lie. The senator’s remarks, as reported, relied on the premise that Putin’s justification does not match the actual basis for the conflict, and he criticized the idea that the United States should treat that explanation as legitimate.

The North Carolina Republican also argued that any U.S. move to reduce support for Ukraine would not stand up to later historical scrutiny. “History” would not judge Trump well, Tillis said, if the administration abandons Ukraine, according to the report.

Tillis’ comments indicate his view that the administration’s approach to Ukraine is a central element of how the war could evolve and of how U.S. commitments are perceived internationally. In his framing, Putin is seeking leverage over President Trump’s decisions, the report said, and Tillis pointed to Ukraine support as the mechanism he believes Putin is attempting to influence.

The remarks come amid broader U.S. debate over how to allocate assistance and what conditions might shape continued support for Ukraine. In this context, Tillis positioned himself as warning against stepping back from Ukraine, arguing that Putin is actively maneuvering around U.S. policy choices, according to The Hill.

Tillis’ statements also reflect a recurring theme among U.S. lawmakers from both parties during the war, namely disputes over the credibility of Russia’s stated justifications and the implications of changing U.S. assistance levels. While Tillis did not lay out specific policy steps in the report, his comments tied U.S. decision-making to Putin’s strategic messaging and the potential consequences he said would follow.

In the immediate term, Tillis’ remarks add to the public pressure lawmakers sometimes apply on the administration regarding Ukraine policy, particularly around whether U.S. support should continue and how Russia’s claims should be treated. Additional details about any administration actions were not included in the report, and the next steps would depend on subsequent statements from the Trump administration and any related legislative activity.