Former national security adviser HR McMaster cautioned Ukrainian representative Steve Witkov to recognize the motives of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
“Putin is deceiving him! This should come as no shock to anyone. Putin is the best deceiver and the most skillful liar in the world,” McMaster stated during a Fox News appearance on Thursday.
In the initial part of this segment, he addressed the Kremlin’s efforts to seize land from Ukraine.
“What we are all aiming to clarify quickly is that what Vladimir Putin desires is non-negotiable. He wants to assert control over Ukraine,” McMaster remarked.
“He aims to dominate the Black Sea, undermine transatlantic relations, and fracture NATO, indicating that Putin has ambitions that extend well beyond our immediate responses to his actions,” he told Anchor Martha MacCallum during the interview.
These comments from the former national security advisor follow a pact between Ukraine and Russia to “eliminate the use of force” in the Black Sea region.
McMaster suggested that Witkov and others should inflict a significant number of Kremlin losses in the ongoing conflict, which could compel Putin to conclude the war.
“Last year, Russia was responsible for 40-45% of the total war casualties. That level is not sustainable, so I believe we are in a position of genuine strength. If we unite once again on this issue, with the US and Europe together, Putin finds himself in a position of weakness,” McMaster remarked.
“And I want to see us act accordingly.
The Trump administration has committed to halting three years of violence within six months.
