PNN – As the US president-elect is expected to try to negotiate a negotiated settlement of the Russia-Ukraine war after taking office, Donald Trump’s ousted national security adviser said the coming months will be “really” to determine the “next phase” of the war.
According to the report of Pakistan News Network, Lieutenant General HR McMaster told CBS last night that both Russia and Ukraine are motivated to “get as much success on the battlefield as they can before the new Trump administration takes office” to use as leverage in negotiations.
McMaster said the recent developments have been “a real problem” and have dealt “a psychological blow to Ukrainians”.
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He added: The Ukrainians are trying to attract the manpower they need and continue their military actions. It is important that they receive the weapons and training they need and that they are confident that they can win. Any talk about the possibility of reducing American aid will give them a heavy blow.
McMaster also commented on Trump’s picks for top national security and defense posts, stressing the importance of the Senate’s advisory and consent role in ensuring “the best people get into these positions.”
McMaster said that in his experience, Trump listens to advice and learns from those around him. According to him, the candidates for the position of the head of national intelligence and the Ministry of Defense should be asked key questions such as “How do you achieve peace through power?” to be asked.
As for Tulsi Gabbard, the nominee for director of national intelligence who has been criticized for his views on Russia and other US adversaries, McMaster said he has a “fundamental misunderstanding” of Putin’s motivations.
Also, in response to a question about Sebastian Gorka, the chief director of the fight against terrorism and assistant to the president, he said that in his opinion Gorka is not a good person to advise the president-elect on national security. But he noted that “the president and his colleagues will quickly determine his eligibility.”