Marjorie Taylor Greene Claims Some Lawmakers Want US Troops in Ukraine

U.S. Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene on Monday told a crowd of supporters that some of her congressional colleagues "would love" to send U.S. troops to Ukraine, while a former Republican congressman blasted Greene, saying she's "getting her talking points from the Kremlin."

The Context

The congresswoman ignited waves of criticism over her opinions on the Russia-Ukraine war since it began more than two years ago. In 2023, Greene faced backlash when she accused Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who is Jewish, of having a "Nazi army."

The two-term Republican congresswoman from Georgia has been a vocal critic of the U.S. providing aid to Ukraine amid its war with Russia, which began after Kremlin forces invaded on February 24, 2022.

A new package of military, economic and humanitarian aid for Ukraine, worth around $60 billion, has been stalling in Congress for months due to infighting. Greene, who has referred to Ukraine as "one of the most corrupt countries," opposes the latest round of aid.

Greene has said that those funds slated for Ukraine should instead be spent domestically, including on measures to strengthen security at the U.S.-Mexico border amid an influx of migrants arriving into the country.

"The war we should be fighting is at our own southern border," she said on Monday. "If we're going to fight a war, we should be fighting the cartels. That is who is invading our country. That is who is attacking our people."

What We Know

While speaking Monday night at a town hall in Rome, Georgia, Greene chastised lawmakers on both sides of the aisle, referring to members of her own party who support sending aid to Ukraine as "RINOS" or "Republicans in name only."

Greene also claimed to have heard lawmakers talk of sending U.S. troops to fight in Ukraine.

"I've heard this whispered in different meetings, they would love to send our uncles, our cousins and our sons to that battlefield, to Ukraine," she said. "And I will tell you, over my dead body will they do that. We should not be fighting that war."

It was unclear at the time of publication who the congresswoman allegedly heard discussing U.S. soldiers being sent to Ukraine or how serious those discussions were. Greene did not provide details.

"Speaking of borders, let's talk about the country that most of us cannot find on a map but the Democrats and many of the RINOS think it's the 51st state of the United States of America, and that's the country of Ukraine," Greene said. "Now, do we have a heart for any country that is under attack? Of course we do. We want the best for the Ukrainian people."

While Greene said she wants peace for Ukrainians, she said Kyiv doesn't deserve U.S. financial backing, adding that the federal government is "funding a war with billions and billions of dollars in our military equipment, which is the best in the world, in order to slaughter an entire generation of young Ukrainian men. Because that is what is happening in Ukraine."

The Views

Greene's opposition to supporting Ukraine has put her at odds with some members of her own party.

A senior Republican congressman said last month that as a vote on funding for Ukraine looms, he believes that Russian propaganda pushed by the Kremlin has "infected" part of the GOP base.

"I think Russian propaganda has made its way into the United States, unfortunately, and it's infected a good chunk of my party's base," House Foreign Affairs Committee chair Michael McCaul, a Texas Republican, said.

Former Republican Representative Ken Buck blasted Greene, dubbing her "Moscow Marjorie" during an appearance Monday night on CNN's OutFront with host Erin Burnett, where he said that the Georgia lawmaker is "getting her talking points from the Kremlin."

What's Next?

After a two-week recess, members of Congress return to Washington this week and could vote on the $60 billion Ukraine aid package soon, Greene said on Monday.

Newsweek reached out via email on Monday night to Greene's representatives for comment.

Update 04/08/24, 11:05 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information.