McConnell Takes Another Shot At Trump With Ukraine Comment
Kentucky Republican Sen. Mitch McConnell recently criticized President Donald Trump, implying that the 47th president’s reluctance to solely blame Russia for provoking the war in Ukraine “reflects a gross misunderstanding of the nature of negotiations and leverage.”
In a statement marking the war’s third anniversary, McConnell placed full responsibility for the “human catastrophe” on Vladimir Putin and cautioned that even if Ukrainian forces laid down their weapons, “Putin’s aims would not stop with Kyiv.”
“Mistaking this fact is as embarrassing as it is costly,” McConnell asserted.
He also criticized the Biden administration’s “shameful hesitation and half-measures” in addressing Russian aggression.
Although McConnell did not directly name Trump, he emphasized that failing to recognize the U.S. objective of countering Russian aggression would be “even more disgraceful.”
“Refusing to acknowledge Russia as the undeniable and unprovoked aggressor is more than an unseemly moral equivalency — it reflects a gross misunderstanding of the nature of negotiations and leverage,” he reiterated.
As the head of the Senate’s Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, McConnell issued this statement shortly after Trump suggested that Ukraine initiated the conflict with Russia and labeled Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky “a dictator without elections.”
“America is right to seek an end to this war, but an end that fails to constrain Russian ambition, ensure Ukrainian sovereignty, or strengthen American credibility with both allies and adversaries is no end at all,” McConnell warned.
“Instead, such a hollow peace would invite further aggression,” he added.
McConnell highlighted the “axis of aggressors from Beijing to Moscow,” which includes Iran and North Korea, stating they seek an outcome in Ukraine that “undermines the credibility of American deterrence and leaves U.S. interests more vulnerable.”
“Without a clear and resolute commitment to the leadership and order that underpins our prosperity and security, America’s adversaries will receive exactly what they hope for,” he declared.
McConnell’s remarks come as the Trump administration has made diplomatic strides in the Russia-Ukraine war.
On Wednesday, President Trump announced that he had a “very good” phone conversation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Trump stated the discussion lasted about an hour and covered the agreement the U.S. had reached with Russian President Vladimir Putin the day prior.
“Just completed a very good telephone call with President Zelenskyy of Ukraine. Much of the discussion was based on the call made yesterday with President Putin in order to align both Russia and Ukraine in terms of their requests and needs. We are very much on track,” Trump shared on Truth Social shortly after the call ended.
On Tuesday, Putin agreed to halt attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure for 30 days. However, the Trump administration’s initial ceasefire objective did not extend to frontlines or civilian areas.
Special envoy Steve Witkoff expressed optimism on Wednesday that a complete ceasefire could be achieved in a few weeks, despite skepticism from Ukrainian and European leaders.
Additionally, Witkoff noted that an official meeting between Trump and Putin is “likely to happen,” as national security advisor Mike Waltz and Secretary of State Marco Rubio are set to return to Saudi Arabia on Sunday to further discuss the agreement reached on Tuesday.
It remains uncertain whether a Ukrainian delegation will also travel back to Saudi Arabia for talks with Russian representatives.
As a “gesture of goodwill,” Putin also agreed to exchange 175 prisoners and return 23 “seriously wounded” Ukrainians.
Following his scheduled call with Trump, Zelenskyy posted on X about “one of the largest POW exchanges,” sharing a photo of Ukrainian soldiers draped in their nation’s flag after being freed from Russian captivity.
Zelenskyy confirmed the release of 175 soldiers and 22 “defenders.”
“We are also grateful to all our partners, especially the United Arab Emirates, for making today’s exchange possible,” he stated, though he did not mention U.S. involvement in the negotiations.
On Tuesday, Trump acknowledged on Fox News’ “Ingraham Angle” that applying additional pressure on Putin for a full ceasefire was challenging, while world leaders voiced frustration over Putin’s rejection of Ukraine’s previous agreement. “Russia has the advantage.”
After the Trump-Putin discussion, Zelenskyy’s office did not respond to Fox News Digital’s inquiries, though the Ukrainian president later posted on X that “Putin effectively rejected the proposal for a full ceasefire.”
“It would be right for the world to respond by rejecting any attempts by Putin to prolong the war,” Zelenskyy stated, emphasizing Russia’s continued assaults on Ukrainian civilians, including a Shahed drone strike on a hospital in Ukraine’s Sumy region on Tuesday night.
Zelenskyy outlined necessary steps for countering Putin, stating, “Sanctions against Russia. Assistance to Ukraine. Strengthening allies in the free world and working toward security guarantees.”
“Only a real cessation of strikes on civilian infrastructure by Russia, as proof of its willingness to end this war, can bring peace closer,” he concluded.