McConnell: U.S. headed for ‘Russia wins, America loses’ headline on Ukraine deal

Former Senate Republican Chief Mitch McConnell (Ky.) warned in a speech Thursday that U.S. negotiators making an attempt to finish the conflict in Ukraine are headed for a “Russia wins, America loses” headline if they comply with a deal that achieves solely “illusory peace.”

McConnell made his feedback in response to latest occasions, notably President Trump’s public scolding of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on the White Home and a Kremlin assertion that the Trump administration’s overseas coverage pivot on the conflict “largely coincides with our vision.”  

“When American officials court the favor of an adversary at the expense of allies… When they mock our friends to impress an enemy… They reveal their embarrassing naivete,” McConnell stated in remarks Thursday whereas accepting the Star of Ukraine Award, the U.S.-Ukraine Basis’s highest honor.

“Unless we change course, the outcome we’re headed for today is the one we can least afford: a headline that reads ‘Russia wins, America loses’,” he stated.

“An illusory peace that shreds America’s credibility, leaves Ukraine under threat, weakens our alliances, and emboldens our enemies,” he stated.

McConnell invoked failed efforts to appease Nazi Germany earlier than World Conflict II, quoting President Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s warning that “no man can tame a tiger into a kitten by stroking it.”

He reiterated that sending navy assist to Ukraine is much more cost effective than turning into embroiled in a conflict in Europe.

And he questioned whether or not Trump’s advisors are totally dedicated to navy deterrence and the precept of “peace through strength.”

“Too many of those who use it — particularly among the president’s advisors — don’t seem ready to summon the resources and national will it requires,” he stated.

“We have a lot of work to do on this front. The ‘resolve of the West’ will require that we actually stand with the West. Instead of mocking European allies and partners, it’ll mean building a stronger trans-Atlantic alliance,” he argued.

Trump has repeatedly criticized different member nations of the North Atlantic Treaty Alliance for not spending extra on their protection budgets and members of the president’s nationwide safety workforce disparaged the navy capabilities of European allies on a bunch chat on Sign, which included a journalist for The Atlantic.

Protection Secretary Pete Hegseth slammed Europe for “free-loading” on america’ navy energy within the Purple Sea, calling it “PATHETIC.”