Sen. Mitch McConnell warned Thursday that advisers to President Donald Trump are pursuing an “illusory peace” with Russia that “shreds America’s credibility, leaves Ukraine under threat, weakens our alliances and emboldens our enemies.”
They are among the most pointed words from any elected Republican since Trump ordered U.S. officials to begin direct talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin’s government about bringing the Ukraine war to a close. And it is some of the most direct criticism McConnell has levied against the administration since giving up his top GOP leadership role and pledging to speak out against the isolationist wing of his party.
“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 said, according to prepared remarks shared with POLITICO ahead of a U.S.-Ukraine Foundation event Thursday where he was honored.
“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 added.
Trump sent shockwaves through Washington when he and Vice President JD Vance berated Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in the Oval Office last month. That confrontation came as Trump has adopted a warmer tone toward Putin, sparking pushback from some Republicans.
While some GOP lawmakers have warned the administration not to bend to Russia as it tries to hash out a peace deal between Moscow and Kyiv, many top congressional Republicans have signaled they are willing to give Trump space.
Not McConnell, however, who vowed shortly after he announced last year that he would step down as Senate Republican leader that he would use his final years in the chamber to advocate for a muscular foreign policy. As Senate GOP leader he helped shepherd additional Ukraine aid through Congress, even as he faced fierce pushback from MAGA-oriented Republicans in the House, as well as some of his own members.
That was part of the reason McConnell was honored Thursday with the “Star of Ukraine” award from the foundation, recognizing “individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to advancing Ukraine’s freedom and security.”
Though McConnell has supported most of Trump’s nominees, he has voted against high-profile national security picks, including Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. He also ultimately supported the seven-month funding bill Congress passed earlier this month while warning that it could hurt the Pentagon.
In his prepared remarks for Thursday’s event, McConnell did not directly criticize Trump, and he did not call out any of his advisers by name.
He also stressed the need to increase defense spending, pointing back to a “peace through strength” mantra that has been popular among Trump administration officials.
“But too many of those who use it — particularly among the president’s advisers — don’t seem ready to summon the resources and national will it requires,” he added.