Senator Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) recently asserted that the United States had warned Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky about the need for negotiations with Russia prior to the 2022 invasion. During an interview on NBC News’ "Meet The Press," Mullin responded to questions regarding accountability for the conflict, specifically whether he would acknowledge Russian President Vladimir Putin’s role in initiating the war.
Mullin emphasized that former President Donald Trump had been correct in suggesting that the U.S. had provided multiple warnings to Zelensky about the importance of diplomacy to avert conflict. "If he was in office, this war would have never, ever taken place," Mullin stated, arguing that Trump’s leadership style would have led to a different outcome in international relations.
The senator expressed his belief that the ongoing violence in Ukraine, which has persisted for three years, could have been avoided under Trump’s administration. He criticized the Biden administration for what he described as a failure to adequately address the situation, implying that a return to Trump’s leadership could facilitate a resolution to the war.
As the discussion progressed, host Kristen Welker challenged Mullin about a tweet he posted in February 2022, where he condemned Russia’s actions as "unjustified and unprovoked." When pressed on whether he still held that view, Mullin maintained that the war should not have occurred and reiterated his support for Trump as a capable negotiator who could bring about peace, likening his potential approach to that of Ronald Reagan during the Cold War.
Mullin’s comments reflect a broader narrative among some Republican leaders who advocate for a return to Trump’s foreign policy strategies, particularly in relation to Russia and Ukraine. The senator concluded by asserting that Trump’s experience as a dealmaker makes him uniquely qualified to end the conflict, contrasting this with Biden’s approach, which he characterized as appeasement.
The interview highlights ongoing divisions in U.S. political discourse regarding foreign policy and the handling of international conflicts, particularly as the war in Ukraine continues to evolve.