Republican Sen. Markwayne Mullin declared Sunday that former President Donald Trump remains the sole global figure capable of compelling Russian leader Vladimir Putin to end the Ukraine conflict through decisive negotiations. Trump-Putin negotiations could leverage America's military and economic advantages to break diplomatic gridlock, according to the Oklahoma lawmaker.
Speaking on ABC News' This Week, Mullin emphasized U.S. air dominance and advanced weaponry as critical pressure points:
Putin knows the one nation that can truly alter this war is America. If we deploy full air superiority and next-gen systems to Ukraine, Russia's position becomes untenable.
The senator outlined a potential Trump-mediated ultimatum:
- Immediate ceasefire negotiations
- Withdrawal of Russian forces from occupied territories
- Binding security guarantees for Ukraine
Analysts suggest this stance aligns with Trump's historic emphasis on asymmetric military deterrence during his presidency. While critics question Putin's willingness to concede, Mullin argued combined economic sanctions and visible NATO readiness could compel cooperation.
Current U.S. aid packages to Ukraine total $44 billion since 2022, yet debate persists about deploying F-16 fighters and ATACMS missiles - moves Putin previously called red lines. Mullin's comments come as European allies increasingly emphasize diplomatic solutions over protracted warfare.