Sen. John McCain today rebuked President Trump for making a formal call to congratulate Russian President Vladimir Putin on his re-election.
“An American president does not lead the Free World by congratulating dictators on winning sham elections,” McCain wrote in a statement.
“And by doing so with Vladimir Putin, President Trump insulted every Russian citizen who was denied the right to vote in a free and fair election to determine their country's future, including the countless Russian patriots who have risked so much to protest and resist Putin's regime,” said McCain, chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee.
McCain remains in Arizona for brain cancer treatment.
Trump called Putin to congratulate him on his re-election Tuesday and the leaders discussed arranging a possible bilateral meeting, according to the Associated Press.
A summary of the call would be released later, but the leaders spoke about limiting the arms race, easing tensions with North Korea and having a joint summit, the Associated Press reports.
