A former Republican congressman has harshly criticized President Donald Trump for cutting off military aid to Ukraine, calling the move an act of desperation. In a recent Substack post, Adam Kinzinger (R-IL) argued that Trump is eager to take credit for ending the war in Ukraine but is willing to undermine Ukraine’s efforts to do so.
Kinzinger noted that Ukraine has not only survived the Russian invasion but has actually started winning the war. He pointed out that Russia, which initially expected a quick victory, has suffered over 800,000 casualties and is now forced into increasingly desperate tactics. ‘What was supposed to be a three-day war for Russia has instead turned into one of the greatest military failures of the modern era,’ Kinzinger wrote.
The decision to cut off aid came after Trump’s meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, which ended poorly when Trump accused Zelensky of not being grateful and ultimately escorted him out of the White House. Kinzinger argued that Trump wants credit for ending the war but is doing so at the expense of Ukraine’s ability to defend itself.
‘The Trump administration’s decision to cut off military aid is not based on strategy or principle. It is an act of desperation,’ Kinzinger wrote. He criticized Trump and his circle for trying to force a ceasefire by starving Ukraine of the weapons and resources it needs to continue fighting. ‘This is not just cynical. It is a betrayal of everything the United States claims to stand for. It is despicable, un-American, and a stain on our country’s reputation,’ he added.
Kinzinger also emphasized that Trump’s actions have weakened Ukraine at a critical time when its resistance is crucial. He accused Trump of prioritizing his own political interests over the security of Ukraine and the broader geopolitical landscape.
The former congressman concluded by calling out Trump for trying to take credit for ending the war while simultaneously undermining Ukraine’s ability to defend itself. ‘It’s despicable,’ he wrote, urging a reevaluation of Trump’s motives and actions in this context.