A Republican lawmaker criticized the Trump administration's approach toward the Russia-Ukraine war, claiming that it is driving the United States away from its role as the "leader of the free world."
Speaking to CNN, Nebraska Rep. Don Bacon said that "it appears to many leaders and people all over, including Republicans in Nebraska, that this administration is walking away from that legacy."
Bacon went on to say that Trump's decision to criticize Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and put most of the pressure on him to reach a ceasefire is "undermining that legacy."
"I'm not interested in a foreign policy that is totally built on realism and transaction, where it is just 'what do we have in it for us. I want a mix of realism, protecting our country and idealism, where we are the leaders standing for freedom, free markets, rule of law," Bacon added.
In this context, the Republican lawmaker diverged from Trump's criticism of Zelensky, claiming the U.S. needs to "be clear-eyed but also have moral clarity." "Putin invaded Ukraine, murdered all of his political opponents, tried to kill a former Ukrainian prime minister."
"We're playing into the hands of Putin. And I think it's devastating for our national security and foreign affairs for years to come," Bacon said. Asked if he shares Trump's optimism about this week's meetings in Saudi Arabia between U.S. and Ukrainian officials, Bacon expressed caution. "I want a just peace. How do you have it if you don't have Zelensky in the meetings? I don't think it's right. Why are we showing favoritism to the thug, the murderer?"
Trump's pressure on Ukraine, which included the halting of military aid and intelligence sharing, led Zelensky to agree to the idea of a ceasefire and the signing of a rare earth minerals with the U.S. The decisions followed a public fallout at the White House during a visit by Zelensky, which was cut short after the two heads of state clashed at the Oval Office.
Trump put pressure on Putin last week for the first time, threatening new sanctions and tariffs on Russia if it didn't move toward a ceasefire. An Axios report quoted a senior White House official saying that "Trump's rage has been intensifying" lately due to Russia's behavior and escalatory attacks.
Bloomberg reported last week that Putin is ready to begin discussing a potential ceasefire with Ukraine provided some conditions are met, including the conformation of a peacekeeping mission. The outlet detailed that the offer was conveyed last months during talks in Saudi Arabia between U.S. and Russian officials. Moscow indicated that any cessation of hostilities would need to include a clear understanding regarding the framework of a final peace agreement.
The parameters of an eventual peacekeeping mission and the countries involved in it are a key aspect of any way forward. Russia has anticipated it won't accept the presence of any troops belonging to NATO countries. It does not object to countries that have stayed neutral throughout the conflict.
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