Cawthorn’s statements were aligned with former President Donald Trump’s praise of Russian President Vladimir Putin but in sharp contrast to the United States’ broad bipartisan support for Ukraine.
Republicans immediately condemned his comments.
“To my colleague in the House, I would push back and say it’s not Ukraine that is invading Russia,” said Iowa Sen. Joni Ernst. “It is Russia invading Ukraine.”
“Like 90% of the country is with Ukrainians and is opposed to Putin,” added South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham. “So when you see a member of Congress say things like this, the one thing I want you to know: they’re outliers.”
Two North Carolina House Republican candidates running against Cawthorn also blasted his anti-Ukraine sentiments.
“I do not understand how anyone in American public office could call Zelensky a ‘thug’ while Ukraine is under such vicious assault,” said Michele Woodhouse.
“Remember that Zelensky is a thug,” said Cawthorn in the video. “Remember that the Ukrainian government is incredibly corrupt and it is incredibly evil and it has been pushing woke ideologies.”
CNN has not independently verified when or where Cawthorn made the comments. After the reports, Cawthorn sought to clarify his views of the conflict on Twitter.
“I am praying for Ukraine and the Ukrainian people,” he added. “Pray also we are not drawn into conflict based on foreign leaders pushing misinformation.”
Cawthorn’s office did not respond to multiple requests for comment.
CNN’s Ali Zaslav contributed to this report.
