Trump’s Ukraine Stance Out of Sync With American Public

US Ambassador: Trump Misaligned on Ukraine, Aligns With Unpopular Putin

On the anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, former US Ambassador to Russia Michael McFaul has sharply criticized former President Donald Trump’s stance on the ongoing conflict. McFaul stated that Trump is “out of step with American society” regarding Ukraine, particularly highlighting Trump’s perceived “embrace of Vladimir Putin,” who is described as “one of the most unpopular leaders in the world.” This assessment comes as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy asserts that Putin has failed to achieve his initial war objectives, and diplomatic efforts, though slim, are being considered.

Putin’s Unmet War Aims and Continued Aggression

Ambassador McFaul elaborated on the dire reality of the conflict, noting a distinct lack of indication that Russian President Vladimir Putin is interested in a ceasefire or a permanent end to the war. Instead, Putin appears to be “doubling down, tripling down on his original war aims from 2022.” McFaul detailed these original objectives and Putin’s subsequent failures:

• Control of all of Ukraine: Putin’s forces initially aimed for Kyiv, not just eastern regions, a goal that was not achieved.
• “Denazification”: This stated aim, intended to overthrow the Zelenskyy government, has also failed.
• Demilitarization of Ukraine: Contrary to this goal, Ukraine is now more militarized than ever.
• Stopping NATO expansion: The invasion directly led to Finland and Sweden joining NATO, a significant failure for Russia.

McFaul added that even the more immediate objective of conquering the entire Donbas region has not been met, yet Putin remains committed to continued fighting.

“Tragically, that’s true. Uh there’s been no indication whatsoever that Putin is interested in negotiating a ceasefire, let alone a permanent end to this war. Uh he keeps doubling down, tripling down on his original war aims from 2022. Uh he has not achieved them.”

– Michael McFaul, Former US Ambassador to Russia

Contradiction: American Public Support vs. Trump’s Position

The former ambassador highlighted a significant contradiction between the prevailing sentiment among Americans and former President Trump’s public statements and actions. Opinion polls, including within the Republican party, consistently show strong support for Ukraine. McFaul contrasted this with Trump’s reported interest in profiting from the war by selling weapons to Ukraine’s allies, a position he characterized as being more akin to an “arms dealer than an ally.”

McFaul expressed personal embarrassment as an American, arguing that Trump’s stance does not serve U.S. national security interests. “It sends signals to the entire world inside Europe, but also in Asia,” he stated, referencing his recent visit to Taiwan where observers are closely watching U.S. reliability as a partner. Furthermore, he deemed it “immoral” for American companies to profit from the war and for the U.S. to withhold critical defensive systems like Patriot interceptors, which allows “Putin to slaughter Ukrainian civilians.” He emphasized that millions of Americans agree with him, believing the U.S. should stand for values rather than solely for narrowly defined interests.

Political Self-Interest and Electoral Dynamics

The discussion touched upon the apparent political paradox of Trump’s position, especially with crucial midterm elections on the horizon. Historically, a president facing low approval ratings on various issues would typically avoid pursuing policies that alienate the public. However, McFaul observed that Trump often operates differently, persisting with unpopular policies, citing his immigration policies as an example.

McFaul expressed hope that a potential shift in the House of Representatives following the November elections could influence policy regarding Ukraine. He believes that majorities in both the House and Senate would support new aid packages, but current presidential control over the legislative agenda has prevented this.

The Focus on Donbas and Future Strategies

Addressing the current state of the war as a “bloody stalemate,” McFaul speculated on Putin’s revised objectives. He believes Putin’s ambitions have scaled back from conquering all of Ukraine to focusing on securing the Donbas region. McFaul explained that Putin desires the Donbas not only to claim a victory but also to gain control of heavily fortified cities currently held by Ukraine. This, he suggested, would make future attacks on Ukraine easier for Russia.

Ukrainian forces, McFaul noted, are reluctant to cede these cities, fearing increased vulnerability. He indicated that Putin might be attempting to leverage former President Trump to pressure Ukrainian President Zelenskyy into conceding the Donbas, a pressure that Zelenskyy has so far resisted.

Allies’ Role in Shifting Capabilities, Not Minds

Regarding the role of Ukraine’s allies, particularly in Europe, McFaul argued against attempting to change Putin’s mind. Instead, he advocated for changing Russia’s capabilities to wage war.

“So I don’t think anybody’s going to change Putin’s mind. Uh, and I think that’s been one of the fatal flaws of the Trump strategy is to try to convince him of something. So, instead, you have to change his capabilities.”

– Michael McFaul, Former US Ambassador to Russia

McFaul outlined a clear strategy for allies:

• Increase Weapons Deliveries: Provide Ukraine with more and better weapons, including long-range strike capabilities.
• Comprehensive Sanctions: Impose more extensive sanctions on Russian individuals and companies to curtail funding for the war effort.

He stressed that there are ample opportunities for allies, including Great Britain, to enhance their support through these avenues.

Uncertainty on Peace Prospects Amidst Devastating Losses

When asked about the realistic possibility of a peace or ceasefire agreement, Ambassador McFaul expressed deep uncertainty. He lamented that the conflict is entering its fifth year, resulting in immense loss of life, including an estimated 1.3 million Russian casualties. He highlighted the unsustainable human cost for Russia, the world’s largest country by landmass but with a relatively smaller population, emphasizing that it cannot afford such significant losses of young men.

Despite the ongoing tragedy, McFaul sees no immediate signs that Putin is ready to cease hostilities. The path to peace remains unclear, overshadowed by the current stalemate and the continued commitment to conflict by the Russian leadership.

Source: Trump Is ‘Out of Step’ With Americans On Ukraine | Former US Ambassador To Russia (YouTube)