Fox News’ Mark Levin has found himself at the center of controversy following comments made on his radio show Wednesday, with some interpreting his remarks as an subtle critique of President Donald Trump’s stance on Ukraine. Levin, a longtime conservative commentator and staunch Trump supporter, stressed the historical significance of supporting Ukraine against Russian aggression, drawing parallels to World War II.

During The Mark Levin Show on Wednesday, Levin marked the 80th anniversary of the Battle of Iwo Jima, recalling his grandfather’s service in the Pacific theater. He then pivoted to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, defending Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and dismissing claims that Ukraine must hold elections as a prerequisite for U.S. support.

“There’s been a lot of talk about Zelensky, not just from the president,” Levin said. “One guy posted that he’s a CIA plant. I didn’t know the CIA was capable of such things. Next thing they’re going to remind us that he’s Jewish. So now Zelensky is the enemy? How come they don’t talk about Putin? He’s a KGB plant.”

Levin’s comments come amid growing skepticism among conservative circles about continued U.S. aid to Ukraine. Trump has repeatedly expressed his reluctance to provide additional military assistance, arguing that European nations should take on more responsibility.

“We are red-blooded Americans. We are tough. We can debate, we can argue, we should—it’s called free speech,” Levin said. “But don’t try to intimidate me, and don’t try to intimidate other Americans, because then you’ve crossed a line, and you’re just a punk.”

He continued, “And so Zelensky’s latest poll, he’s at 57%,” noted the conservative commentator just one day after Trump claimed that Zelensky’s approval rating sat at 4%. “The parliament — with all parties in the parliament — support what he’s doing. They’re trying to survive. Ukraine did not invade Russia. Russia invaded Ukraine.”

“Ukraine doesn’t have the industrial might that a Russia has — or a China. A relatively small population of around 40 million people, mostly agricultural country, mostly an agricultural country. They didn’t start this war. What were they supposed to do? Roll over and play dead?” Levin asked.

While Levin has been an unwavering Trump ally on issues like border security and government overreach, Ukraine has become a wedge issue among conservatives.

His defense of Ukraine is not new. Levin has previously dismissed claims that Trump’s opposition to aid is an endorsement of Putin, arguing that criticism of Zelensky should not translate into support for the Russian leader.

Recent developments have only intensified tensions between President Trump and President Zelenskyy.

“A Dictator without Elections, Zelenskyy better move fast or he is not going to have a Country left,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “In the meantime, we are successfully negotiating an end to the War with Russia, something all admit only ‘TRUMP,’ and the Trump Administration, can do. Biden never tried, Europe has failed to bring Peace, and Zelenskyy probably wants to keep the ‘gravy train’ going.”

The Trump administration has initiated peace talks with Russia, notably excluding Ukraine from initial discussions. The approach has alarmed both Ukrainian officials and European allies, who stress that any agreement without Ukraine’s involvement undermines its sovereignty.