"Former Ambassador McFaul Challenges Trump's Claims of Support for Ukraine"

Former U.S. Ambassador to Russia, Michael McFaul, has expressed serious doubts regarding former President Trump and Senator Vance's recent claims that Ukraine's President Zelensky should personally thank them for their alleged support. McFaul emphasized that Zelensky has previously shown gratitude to the United States, its Congress, and the American people numerous times and suggested it is unfair, and perhaps misleading, for Trump and Vance to demand personal recognition for their record.

According to McFaul, Trump's suggestions about Ukraine have consistently served Putin's interests, not Ukraine's. Trump's team once advised Ukraine to relinquish territory to Russia and ruled out involving American forces should an international peacekeeping mission deploy to Ukraine. Additionally, Trump's administration explicitly communicated to Ukraine that NATO membership would not be possible, further diminishing Ukraine's prospects for substantial Western support.

Moreover, McFaul cited Trump's intention to reduce U.S. troop presence in Europe, characterizing this move as a strategic benefit for Putin. He highlighted the troubling insistence from Trump officials that Ukraine hold new presidential elections prior to any negotiations toward ending the conflict—a condition that could undermine Ukraine's leadership during wartime.

McFaul also pointed out several international moves by Trump officials seemingly aimed at improving U.S.-Russian relations without significant concessions from Putin. These actions included potential easing of sanctions against Russia, openness toward Russia's reinstatement into the G7 group, and notably, the United States voting against a United Nations resolution condemning Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. This put the U.S., under Trump's administration, in alignment with authoritarian regimes like North Korea and Belarus, distancing America from traditional democratic allies.

Finally, McFaul rebuked Vance for voting against crucial aid to Ukraine, despite simultaneously demanding personal thanks from Zelensky. He reminded the public that Trump himself characterized the Biden administration's aid to Ukraine as foolish.

In his statement, McFaul concluded that Zelensky has no meaningful reason to express gratitude specifically to Trump or Vance, who, according to McFaul, have primarily supported policies beneficial towards Putin rather than Ukraine. If gratitude is due, McFaul argued, it should come from the Russian government, not from Ukraine.