Waltz Says US Is 'Reformulating' Its Russian Policy

The Trump administration is reversing Joe Biden’s policies regarding Russia and Ukraine, according to National Security Adviser Mike Waltz. Read Full Article at RT.com.

Waltz Says US Is 'Reformulating' Its Russian Policy
Trump’s priority is to end conflicts, his national security adviser has said

The United States is fundamentally rethinking its approach to the Ukraine conflict and its relationship with Russia, according to White House National Security Adviser Mike Waltz.

After assuming office last month, Trump has reversed the Biden administration’s strategy of attempting to "isolate" Russia globally by reopening direct negotiations that had been halted in 2022.

During an appearance on Fox News on Sunday, Waltz emphasized that Trump’s main objective is “bringing multiple wars to an end,” which includes addressing the ongoing conflicts in Gaza as well as the tensions between Russia and Ukraine.

He also highlighted the administration's goal of establishing a “partnership” in the development of Ukraine’s critical minerals in exchange for military and financial support previously provided by Trump's predecessor, former President Joe Biden.

Waltz pointed out that Kiev should finalize a deal “so the American people can see a return on this massive investment they’ve made.” He added, “We reformulate how the United States deals with Russia. We saw this first step with President Trump talking to both Putin and Zelensky.”

Trump had a phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin on February 12, which set the stage for a meeting last Tuesday in Riyadh involving teams led by Foreign Secretary Marco Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. The discussions focused on Ukraine and included an agreement to gradually normalize bilateral relations.

However, Ukrainian and EU leaders have expressed concerns that they feel sidelined by the White House, particularly in light of Trump's public criticism of Zelensky, whom he referred to as “a dictator.” Unlike his predecessor, who directly attributed the conflict to Russia, Trump has claimed that Zelensky is accountable for the hostilities.

This week, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron will visit Washington, seeking assurances that Trump will continue support for Ukraine. Waltz said, “We welcome their ideas for security guarantees and European leadership to take care of Europe’s security.”

After the Riyadh discussions, Lavrov remarked that he noticed signs suggesting “the American side has begun to understand our position better.”

Olivia Brown contributed to this report for TROIB News