Kennedy pushes tougher stance on Putin and sanctions as peace talks unfold

Sen. John Kennedy urged a tougher U.S. stance toward Vladimir Putin, urging passage of Russian sanctions and more intelligence support for Ukraine as peace talks unfold, arguing that tough talk alone won’t compel Moscow. He also warned about inflation and gas-price pressure ahead of the midterms, criticized Republican leadership for not moving a reconciliation bill, and noted ongoing geopolitical maneuvering as Kushner and Witkoff met Putin and Zelensky in Kyiv.