WASHINGTON, (Reuters) – The U.S. House of Representatives’ top Republican said Friday that Madison Cawthorn, Republican Representative of the House of Representatives was incorrectly calling Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zilenskiy a “thug”, during a meeting with North Carolina constituents.

Kevin McCarthy, Minority Leader, stated that he would still support Cawthorn in November’s midterm elections.

Cawthorn (26-year-old conservative hard-liner and staunch ally for former President Donald Trump) is among several Republicans under fire after Russia invaded Ukraine. His comments were seen to be supporting Russian President Vladimir Putin or attacking Ukraine.

“Madison’s wrong. McCarthy stated that Putin is the most dangerous thug on earth, and that he has spoken with Cawthorn.

McCarthy exclaimed that Putin was the aggressor. This is the war that must be ended. This is what everyone should be fighting against.”

McCarthy answered “Yes” when McCarthy was asked if he supported Cawthorn being reelected.

Cawthorn did not reply to McCarthy’s request for comment. He is just the latest House conservative hardliner to give McCarthy headaches. Marjorie Taylor Greene, and Paul Gosar were both present at a conference of white nationalists last month. Participants applauded Russia’s leaders and shouted Putin’s name.

Zelenskiy, a wartime leader, delivered a virtual address before Congress on Wednesday. It was a powerful presentation that resonated with U.S. legislators.

WRAL-TV’s Raleigh station aired the video clip the week prior to Zelenskiy’s speech. Cawthron said these words about the Ukrainian leader: “Remember, Zelenskiy are a thug. Keep in mind that the Ukrainian government has been pushing wake ideologies and is extremely corrupt.

After U.S media claimed that Russian state TV had repeatedly played the clip, Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina slammed Cawthorn.