GOP Congressman Criticizes Trump for Excluding Zelensky in Ukraine Peace Talks

Rep. Don Bacon warns that sidelining Ukraine's president undermines U.S. leadership and strengthens Russia's position.

Rep. Don Bacon (R-Neb.) compared Trump's exclusion of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky from peace talks to past U.S. negotiations with the Taliban, calling it a strategic error.
Bacon criticized Trump's approach as overly conciliatory toward Russian President Vladimir Putin, describing it as harmful to U.S. national security and foreign relations.
The Nebraska congressman argued that the U.S. is jeopardizing its legacy as the leader of the free world by appearing to favor authoritarian regimes over democratic allies.
Bacon emphasized the importance of moral clarity in U.S. foreign policy, urging a balance of realism and idealism to uphold freedom and democratic values.
The talks in Saudi Arabia, involving U.S. and Ukrainian officials but not Zelensky, have raised concerns about fairness and the potential impact on Ukraine's sovereignty.