Trump's Ukraine policy draws fire for weakness, says ex‑ambassador

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 argues that Trump's negotiation strategy with Russia is ineffective, as any concessions to the Kremlin merely lead to further demands. Drawing on his extensive experience with the Russian administration and Putin, he cautioned in a US News commentary that yielding to their requests will only encourage them to pursue more.

McFaul said 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 that he cannot conquer more territory. McFaul reminded readers that diplomacy should take place behind closed doors, and agreements only gain significance when all points are agreed upon.

McFaul, currently a lecturer at Stanford University, recalled that in the history of the United States, society has been able to confront controversial executive decisions. He pointed to cases such as US foreign policy during the Vietnam War or the change in stance towards apartheid in South Africa.

"The time has come for Americans to oppose and protest against Trump's deepening ties with authoritarian Russia and his about-face towards his allies in Europe, including Ukraine," he concluded in a commentary for US News, emphasizing that this is not only a necessity but also a pragmatic decision.