Senator Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) claimed that before Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, U.S. officials repeatedly urged Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to pursue diplomatic negotiations to avoid war. Speaking on NBC’s Meet the Press, Mullin stated that multiple warnings were given to Zelensky, suggesting that diplomatic efforts could have prevented the conflict. The senator asserted that under President Donald Trump, such a war would not have occurred, blaming the Biden administration for failing to take decisive action to prevent the war.
Zelensky’s Missed Opportunities for Diplomacy
Mullin alleged that Zelensky had opportunities to negotiate with Russia before the invasion but chose not to engage in serious talks. He argued that the Ukrainian government, possibly encouraged by Western leaders, resisted diplomatic efforts that could have led to a peace deal. The senator suggested that the U.S. could have played a more active role in facilitating negotiations before the war began but instead took a reactive stance as tensions escalated.
Reports indicate that in the months leading up to the February 2022 invasion, Russian President Vladimir Putin made demands related to Ukraine’s potential NATO membership and territorial disputes in the Donbas region. Some diplomatic backchannels were explored, but no agreement was reached. Mullin’s comments suggest that a stronger push for negotiations might have altered the course of events.
Biden’s Approach vs. Trump’s Strategy
Mullin sharply criticized President Joe Biden’s handling of the crisis, arguing that his administration failed to prevent the war and has since mismanaged the response. The senator pointed to Trump’s foreign policy, particularly his “peace through strength” approach, as a deterrent to aggression from adversaries like Russia. Mullin expressed confidence that Trump, if re-elected, would be able to broker a peace deal to end the ongoing conflict.
The senator compared Trump’s leadership style to that of former President Ronald Reagan, who engaged in direct negotiations with Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev during the Cold War. Mullin argued that Trump’s ability to strike deals and exert diplomatic pressure could be instrumental in bringing the Ukraine war to an end, whereas the Biden administration has been more focused on military aid rather than diplomacy.
Calls for a New Peace Strategy
Mullin reiterated the need for the U.S. to take a leadership role in ending the conflict, rather than continuing an open-ended military assistance strategy. He called for a shift in policy that prioritizes diplomacy over indefinite financial and military aid, warning that a prolonged war benefits neither Ukraine nor the American taxpayer.
The senator’s comments reflect growing frustration among conservative lawmakers over continued U.S. involvement in Ukraine, with many arguing for a more strategic and results-driven approach to foreign aid. As the 2024 election approaches, Trump and his allies are likely to emphasize their vision for ending the war, contrasting it with the Biden administration’s policies.
