McCain: ‘It’s Not Hard To Discern What Vladimir Putin Wants’

RUSH TRANSCRIPT:

"My friends, it was obvious what Vladimir Putin is doing, and these airstrikes are a logical follow-on to his ambition, which he is realizing to, one, play a major role in Syria, preserve the port, prop up Bashar Assad and play a major role in the Middle East. And all of this is not lost on countries in the region. The last time I -- today Vladimir Putin escalated his involvement as Russian pilots carried out their first airstrikes in Syria. Initial reports, as I mentioned, are that they are hitting targets which are not controlled by ISIL. That should control -- that should fool no one because Vladimir Putin's primary authority and responsibility and ambition is to prop up Bashar Assad against all of his enemies. The White House has said, quote, it's unclear exactly what Russia's intentions are. My friends, I am not making that up. The White House has said it's unclear exactly what Russia's intentions are. If the White House is confused about Putin's intentions and plans in Syria, then the united States is in even worse trouble than many fear because it's not hard to discern what Vladimir Putin wants."