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CNN’s John Berman and Ukrainian-American Rep. Victoria Spartz (R-IN) clashed in a Tuesday exchange where the CNN host pushed Spartz multiple times on Donald Trump’s recent declaration that he’d let Russia “do whatever the hell they want” if he makes it back to the White House.

Spartz appeared with Berman to discuss the $95 billion aid package passed through the Senate, with most of the funds allocated for Ukraine as the country continues fighting off a Russian invasion. Spartz criticized the bill as a “slush fund” and called for providing more weapons instead of funds, as well as more accountability measures.

The legislation faces a major uphill battle in the House where House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) could avoid a vote on it altogether. Spartz said she will not support the bill, though she hasn’t read it. She instead referenced several previous similar proposals.

“What would happen if Vladimir Putin does, quote, whatever the hell he wants?” Berman eventually asked after telling Spartz they’d circle back to the Senate package after she’s read it.

“If you tell me he’s not doing what he wants right now then we are really looking like fools and right now we have to get tough on him and harsher,” the congresswoman said, arguing the Russian president has not been deterred by sanctions or other consequences.

“Are you for

or against Vladimir Putin and Russia doing whatever the hell it wants?” Berman pressed again.

Spartz made a similar argument, pushing for more weapons to be directly provided to Ukraine over humanitarian aid.

“It sounds like you’re against Vladimir Putin doing whatever the hell he wants. The reason I was asking is because Donald Trump —” Berman began before Spartz jumped back in.

“Listen, let’s understand here — yeah, he’s not our friend, but let’s just be honest, he only understands strength. He only understands strength so if we’re not strong, he will do that and we need to be very realistic,” she said of Putin.

After some crosstalk, Berman pressed on the Trump quote again.

“Okay, so if a Republican presidential candidate who may end up being president says, I hope Russia does whatever the hell it wants, how will Putin respond to that?” he asked.

Spartz dismissed “politicking” and “campaigning” and said she’s more focused on “actions.”

“President Trump does a lot of campaigning, but he’s a tough negotiator,” she said.

At a South Carolina rally, Trump said he’s let Russia do “whatever the hell they want” to NATO countries not paid up on their spending requirements.

“They asked me that question, one of the presidents of a big country, stood up said, ‘Well, sir,

if we don’t pay and we’re attacked by Russia, will you protect us?’ I said, ‘You didn’t pay, you’re delinquent?’ He said, ‘Yes, let’s say that happened.’ ‘No, I would not protect you. In fact, I would encourage them to do whatever the hell they want. You gotta pay. You gotta pay your bills,'” the former president said. “And the money came flowing in!”

Watch the Berman/Spartz exchange above via CNN.

Tags: CNN, Donald Trump, Jake Tapper, Russia, Ukraine aid, Victoria Spartz, Vladimir Putin