Sen. Ted Cruz Rafael (Ted) Edward CruzCruz blocks amended resolution honoring Ginsburg over language about her dying wish Trump argues full Supreme Court needed to settle potential election disputes Press: Notorious RBG vs Notorious GOP MORE (R-Texas) said Tuesday that President Trump Donald John TrumpBiden on Trump's refusal to commit to peaceful transfer of power: 'What country are we in?' Romney: 'Unthinkable and unacceptable' to not commit to peaceful transition of power Two Louisville police officers shot amid Breonna Taylor grand jury protests MORE “made a mistake” by not openly criticizing Russia during his joint press conference with Russian President Vladimir Putin last week.

“I think President Trump made a mistake with Putin,” Cruz told Fox News host Neil Cavuto. “He should have been more vigorous in that news conference. I think it's a bad idea for the president not to be visibly and vocally standing up to Russia.”

“Now that being said I think what matters most is substance,” Cruz continued, adding that he is “encouraged" by the Trump administration’s sanctions against Russia.

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“We need to continue focusing on defending this nation, and not be in a position of treating America and Russia as morally equivalent — not be in a position of apologizing for Russia,” he said.

Cruz also called for the U.S. to stand up “against Russian aggression" and to "be unequivocal that Russia should not interfere in our elections."

“Putin is a KGB thug. It's not complicated. He's not a complicated man," the Texas Republican said. “We need to be standing up to Russian hostility.”

Trump faced massive backlash last week after he appeared to side with Putin's denials of Russia's election interference during a joint press conference with the leader. Trump sought to walk back the comments with a statement the next day, saying he misspoke.