Putin Ally Politician Publicly Calls For Abduction Of U.S. Congressman Over Russian Aggression Remarks

As hostility between the United States and Russia rises, the Kremlin’s nationalist Rodina party added fuel to the fire after advocating on live television for the abduction of a U.S. Congressman over his controversial comments on the ongoing Ukraine-Russia crisis.

On Wednesday, State Duma member Aleksei Zhuravlyov, who is also the chairman of Russia’s nationalist Rodina party, expressed his support for the abduction and imprisonment of Ruben Gallego, U.S. representative for Arizona's 7th congressional district, while on the state TV show "60 Minutes."

In the lead-up to the 2018 Russian presidential election, Rodina endorsed Putin as its candidate.

Gallego, upon his return from Ukraine, urged the Biden administration to take additional measures in deterring Russian aggression toward its neighbor, suggesting sanctions to Russia while providing advanced weaponry to Ukraine.

On Sunday, the American politician did not mince words when he explained to CNN that Russian President Vladimir Putin's move for another escalation in Ukraine may only be tempered only by a harsh military response. Arming Ukraine will take a toll on the Kremlin's troop movements, he said.

“[U]nfortunately that means we have to kill some Russians," he added, noting the Russians “only understand pure power, and we have to give the Ukrainian army and special forces the ability to do that.”

According to the Daily Beast, Gallego was referring to the armed conflict between Russia and Ukraine, with his interview sparking fury in Moscow.

In response to the commentary on the U.S. side, Olga Skabeeva, the host of Russia’s "60 Minutes," described the Americans as “parasites” who “don’t know history.”

Zhuravlyov would chime in and suggest placing the Arizona representative under tight watch. He added the man must be snatched and brought to Russia, further specifying, “We should be looking for that bud, and if he travels anywhere–grab him like Bout and bring him over here.”

“This is how we should be acting. Spend 25 years in prison and then when you get out—“IF” you get out—you can tell us whom you wanted to kill,” Zhuravlyov continued.

As for his mention of Bout, the Russian lawmaker was actually referring to notorious Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout, dubbed the "merchant of death," who was extradited by the Thai government to the U.S. for terrorism charges, The Guardian noted.