Trump's Ukraine aid halt sparks criticism, calls for action
Former US ambassador to Russia, Michael McFaul, sharply criticized Donald Trump's decision to halt military aid to Ukraine, calling it tragic. "Trump's "Art of the Deal": For Zelenskyy, only sticks. For Putin only carrots," he wrote on platform X.
Former US ambassador to Russia: It's a show of weakness
Michael McFaul, former US ambassador to Russia, expressed his concern over Donald Trump's decision to halt military aid to Ukraine. In his opinion, this is another example of Trump's flawed foreign policy strategy and evidence of Washington's weakness.
McFaul argued that Trump's negotiation strategy with Russia is ineffective, as concessions to the Kremlin only encourage further requests. Drawing on his extensive experience with the Russian administration and Putin, he cautioned in a US News commentary that any concessions granted would only encourage further requests.
McFaul believes that the American president made a mistake by showing all his cards during negotiations.
Vice President J.D. Vance and Trump declared that Ukraine must cede part of its territory, cannot join NATO, and that American soldiers will not participate in any potential peacekeeping mission in Ukraine.
The former US ambassador emphasized that the only way to achieve peace is for Putin to realize he cannot conquer more territory. McFaul reminded that diplomacy should occur behind closed doors and that agreements only gain significance when all points are agreed upon.
McFaul, a lecturer at Stanford University, recalled that throughout the United States' history, society has been able to confront controversial executive decisions. He pointed to cases such as US foreign policy during the Vietnam War and the shift in posture toward apartheid in South Africa.
He asserted in a US News commentary that Americans must take a stand against Trump's strengthening ties with authoritarian Russia and his shifting stance on traditional allies in Europe, including Ukraine. He stressed that this is both a necessary and practical course of action.
