A Democratic congressman has accused President Donald Trump of attempting to ‘sell out’ to Russia and its leader, Vladimir Putin. The accusation comes ahead of a meeting between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Friday. They are set to discuss a proposed peace deal that would establish a jointly managed ‘Reconstruction Investment Fund’ involving Ukraine’s natural resources. However, Representative Seth Moulton (D-MA) claims the agreement seems like it could have been drafted by the Kremlin. Moulton told CNN News Central that Trump is ‘setting up to sell out to Putin,’ echoing similar accusations from his first term.
Moulton pointed to Trump’s history of attempting to influence Ukrainian officials, including the infamous quid pro quo involving Hunter Biden, which led to his impeachment inquiry in 2019. The congressman argued that Trump’s current actions are not only aligning with a ‘murderous dictator’ but also repeating past attempts to swindle Zelensky.
Trump was previously impeached for withholding military aid from Ukraine as leverage to pressure Zelensky into announcing an investigation into Biden’s son, Hunter. However, the Senate acquitted him in December 2019. Moulton criticized the proposed deal, stating that Russia should be held accountable for funding Ukraine’s rebuilding efforts rather than Ukraine itself. He likened the situation to someone burning down a house and then expecting the victim to pay for repairs while blaming another party.
Moulton described Trump’s actions as ‘immoral,’ ‘unpatriotic,’ and ‘un-American,’ arguing that such deals only embolden Putin. Without adequate security guarantees, Moulton warned that Eastern Europe could be next in line for conflict. The congressman expressed deep concern over the implications of Trump’s approach to the peace deal, urging caution and vigilance from the international community.
The situation highlights ongoing tensions between the U.S., Russia, and Ukraine, with accusations flying as to who stands to benefit most from the proposed agreement.