Mitt Romney: Putin is a 'small, evil, feral-eyed man who is trying to shape the world in the image where once again Russia would be an empire'

Romney said that Putin was a small, evil, feral-eyed man who was trying to shape the world in the image of Russia again.

Romney, a Republican from Utah, made the comments during an appearance on CNN's State of the Union on Saturday after Dana Bash asked about Romney's 2012 comments warning that Russia was ageopolitical foe.

Romney said on Sunday that China is the greatest threat to us long term and that Russia is circling the drain. John McCain used to joke that Russia was a gas station.

Romney was concerned that several US presidents had tried to repair US relations with Russia and that there was a responsible person in the Russian president.

Romney said that John McCain looked into the eyes of Putin and saw the KGB. We are seeing a small, evil, feral-eyed man who is trying to shape the world in the image where once again Russia would be an empire.

Romney said that was not going to happen.

—The Recount (@therecount) February 27, 2022

Romney recalled comments made by the late Arizona Sen. John McCain, who said he saw three letters: a K, a G, and a B in Putin.

The people of the world see him and see Russia. They are saying that they will fight for freedom. What we are seeing is inspiring. It is powerful. It will change the world in a positive way.