Congressman Eli Crane Criticized for Hosting Russian Delegation
Congressman Eli Crane, representing Oro Valley, Arizona, has come under fire from both sides of the political aisle after participating in a meeting with Russian lawmakers. The controversial event took place on a Friday and included five members of the Russian Duma and five U.S. House members, consisting mainly of Republicans and one Democrat. The assembly was coordinated by Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, R-Fla., who termed it a “push for peace” between the two countries.
The gathering did not sit well with many lawmakers. Rep. Joe Wilson, R-S.C., a part of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, expressed his disdain, comparing the meeting to a visit from the Third Reich. “Members of the war criminal Putin regime must not be welcomed in any way,” he stated.
The Russian officials toured significant sites at the Capitol, including Statutory Hall and the office of Speaker Mike Johnson. Their itinerary also featured visits to the U.S. Institute of Peace and the Kennedy Center, which had been renamed by Trump.
The delegation comprised Vyacheslav Nikonov, chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee in the Duma, and Russia’s ambassador to Washington, Alexander Darchiev.
Eli Crane, a former Navy SEAL who took office in 2022, has previously voiced anti-war views. Recently, he described U.S. operations in Iran as “dicey.” On March 2, Crane told Real America’s Voice, “Toppling a regime isn’t the hard part. It’s what comes next.”
Despite the controversy, Crane remains unopposed in the upcoming July primary and has yet to issue a statement regarding the delegation. Democrat Jonathan Nez, Crane’s anticipated opponent in November, criticized the congressman for prioritizing foreign interests over local concerns. “While Arizona families struggle with rising costs at home, Eli Crane is busy giving private tours to Russian officials,” Nez commented.
This visit by Russian officials aligns with recent allegations from the European Union’s top diplomat, Kaja Kallas, who claimed Russia has been aiding Iran with intelligence to harm Americans and providing drones for attacks. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also accused Russia of supplying satellite imagery to Iran for targeting U.S. forces.
Rep. Michael McCaul, R-Texas, a former chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, criticized the lawmakers involved, emphasizing the need to penalize Russian leader Vladimir Putin. “At this crucial moment in history, we must prevent Putin from exploiting the conflict in the Middle East to line his coffers or legitimize his cronies,” McCaul stated.
Adam Kinzinger, a former Republican congressman, referred to Crane and his colleagues as “traitors” in a social media post. Meanwhile, Rep. Mike Quigley, D-Ill., expressed concerns over security risks, stating that foreign adversaries should never be allowed on Capitol Hill.
The GOP faces internal divisions over Russia, exacerbated by Trump’s past comments praising Putin and criticizing Ukrainian President Zelenskyy. Crane has previously advocated for reducing U.S. aid to Ukraine, questioning the rationale behind continuous government spending. In April 2023, he co-authored a letter to President Biden demanding a clear strategy for concluding the conflict with Russia.
